Intensive Assessments are the Key to Success in Coaching for Physicians

Hospitals and medical practices throughout the United States are beginning to implement the new Joint Commission Standards for “disruptive physicians”. Anderson & Anderson is currently the major provider of Executive Coaching/anger Management for Physicians in the nation.

Out On-site coaching for “disruptive physicians” has provided us the opportunities to get an inside look at the work environments of participating doctors. The most startling finding to date is the degree to which stress and burnout are factors in decreasing the resiliency of these physicians to appropriately manage anger and use assertive rather than aggressive communication. Stress also tends to erode empathic responses to colleagues, ancillary staff and patients.

We have learned that it is our extensive assessment at the beginning of the intervention which quickly breaks through resistance and denial of the presenting complaint. Our assessments can be provided on-line or administered in person.

The assessments which are a part of the Anderson & Anderson model are designed to examine in a through manner, the doctors’ level of current functioning in recognizing and managing anger, stress, assertive communication and empathy/emotional intelligence.

The obvious reliability of the three non-psychological assessments used tends to immediately reduce any opposition on the part of the physician to engage in the coaching process. In fact, most physicians are relieved to receive help for the debilitating impact of “disruptive behavior”.


George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF, CEAP
Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers
Anderson & Anderson, The Trusted Name in Anger Management
http://www.andersonservices.com/
http://www.aaamp.org
http://www.linkedin.com/in/geoanderson
www.anger-management-resources.org