Movers & Shakers Among Coaches for Physicians

Movers and Shakers Among Specialists in Anger Management For Physicians

Disruptive physician referrals to executive coaching/anger management programs have dramatically increased nationwide. One of the major reasons for this trend is the 2007 requirements by the Joint Commission on The Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requiring written policies for intervention, referral and mandated help for disruptive physicians.

The new JCAHO definition of “disruptive physicians” narrowed the scope of appropriate interventions. Psychiatric impairment, substance abuse and/or sexual abuse are now excluded as related issues. Rather, “disruptive behavior” is defined as behavior that may impact patient care and professional relationships. Here are some of the behaviors that are considered “disruptive”:

-Disrespect

-Berating colleagues

-Use of abusive language

-Condescending behaviors

-Unacceptable bedside manners

Because of the specificity of the intervention needed to address “disruptive physician behavior”, few organizations are equipped to provide non-psychiatric assessments and intervention for this growing problem. Most, if not all traditional interventions have been based on psychiatric models.

Currently, there are only three nationally recognized providers using focused intervention for “disruptive physicians”. The Pace Program at the University of California at San Diego provides classes for small groups of “disruptive physicians” on campus over a three day period four times each year. Click here for information regarding this program: http://www.paceprogram.ucsd.edu/.

A second program that is widely used in the southern United States is the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine at: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/cph . This program is also offered in a small group format.

Finally, the Anderson & Anderson Executive Coaching/Anger Management for physicians is the only model currently in use that is available on-site or in Los Angeles and provided on a individual basis. This model uses non-psychiatric assessments and intervention. For more information, click here http://www.andersonservices.com.


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