Physician Burnout Coach: What It Is, What It Costs, and How to Tell If You Need One
What Is a Physician Burnout Coach?
A physician burnout coach is a professional who partners with doctors to help them recognize and address the drivers of burnout – things like excessive workload, loss of autonomy, moral injury and lack of connection. Coaching is future‑focused and action‑oriented. A coach helps you develop skills and strategies to reclaim control of your time, redesign your work life, and cultivate daily joy. Unlike therapy, which explores past trauma and deeper psychological issues, coaching focuses on goal‑setting, accountability and building new habits1. Therapy is critical for physicians dealing with depression, trauma or suicidal thoughts, whereas coaching helps physicians leverage their strengths, improve efficiency and create sustainable practices.
Physician coaching may be delivered one‑on‑one or in small groups. Coaches may be physicians with additional coach training or professional coaches who specialize in working with clinicians. Many coaches are certified through organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and use evidence‑based tools such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory, values exercises and strength assessments. Coaching is not medical care; rather, it is a structured partnership that helps you build resilience and redesign your approach to work.
Does Coaching Really Reduce Burnout?
Yes. When implemented thoughtfully, coaching can have a measurable impact on burnout. In 2025, UCLA researchers conducted a randomized, wait‑list controlled trial with 79 attending internal medicine physicians. They compared six sessions of one‑on‑one coaching, six sessions of small‑group coaching, and a control group that received no coaching initially. Participants who received small‑group coaching experienced a nearly 30% reduction in burnout, while those in the one‑on‑one coaching arm saw a 13.5% reduction. By contrast, physicians in the control group had an 11% increase in burnout during the same period. Burnout remained stable six months later for the small‑group cohort and continued to improve for the one‑on‑one cohort2. These findings align with other research showing that professional coaching can decrease emotional exhaustion and cynicism while boosting engagement and self‑efficacy.
Coaching also addresses the problem of moral injury or the distress that occurs when you know the right course of action but are constrained by systemic pressures. By helping physicians set boundaries, advocate for necessary resources and reconnect with their purpose, coaching supports both the individual and their organization.
How Much Does Physician Coaching Cost?
The cost of coaching varies depending on the format and the coach’s experience. The UCLA trial reported that six one‑on‑one coaching sessions cost about $1 000 per physician, while the same number of small‑group sessions (three physicians per coach) cost about $400 per physician2. Private one‑on‑one coaching packages can range from $3 000 to $10 000 or more for an extended engagement, depending on the coach’s credentials and the length of the program. Some employers or professional societies subsidize coaching as part of well‑being initiatives, recognizing that the cost of physician turnover due to burnout far exceeds the investment in coaching. A 2019 economic analysis estimated that physician burnout costs the U.S. health‑care system $4.6 billion per year, primarily due to physician turnover and reduced clinical hours3. At roughly $7 600 per physician, the financial impact of burnout dwarfs the cost of coaching.
How Do You Know If You Need a Burnout Coach?
Here are some signs that coaching might be helpful:
- Persistent exhaustion and cynicism. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (feeling disconnected or cynical), and a sense of reduced accomplishment. In 2024, the American Medical Association reported that 43.2% of physicians experienced at least one symptom of burnout, down from 48.2% in 20234. If you regularly feel depleted and dread going to work, you’re not alone – and coaching can help you identify and address the root causes.
- Loss of joy and moral distress. If the everyday moments that used to bring you joy now feel hollow, or you find yourself facing ethical dilemmas created by systemic barriers, a coach can help you reconnect with your values and craft a path forward.
- Feeling stuck despite trying other strategies. You may have tried mindfulness apps, time‑management hacks or vacations, yet still feel burned out. Coaching provides accountability and customized strategies, bridging the gap between knowledge and action.
- You want to stay in medicine but need a more sustainable way. Coaching is ideal for physicians who love patient care but need support making their practice sustainable. A coach can help you set boundaries, delegate tasks and negotiate for changes within your organization.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or suicidal ideation, seek help from a mental health professional immediately. Coaching complements, but does not replace, therapy or psychiatric care.
Choosing the Right Physician Coach
Because coaching is an unregulated field, it’s important to vet potential coaches carefully. Consider the following factors when selecting a coach:
- Training and certification. Look for coaches who have completed accredited training programs and hold certifications from organizations like the International Coaching Federation. Many physician coaches also have additional training in wellness, leadership and positive psychology.
- Professional background. Some physicians prefer working with coaches who are physicians themselves and understand the unique culture and demands of medicine. Others benefit from non‑physician coaches who bring expertise in leadership, business or wellness.
- Evidence‑based approach. Inquire about the tools and frameworks the coach uses (e.g., burnout inventories, values clarification, cognitive behavioral techniques). Effective coaching is structured and measurable.
- Chemistry and trust. Coaching is a partnership. Most coaches offer free discovery calls; use these to assess whether you feel comfortable sharing openly and whether the coach’s style resonates with you.
- Ethical boundaries. A coach should clearly state when issues fall outside the scope of coaching and recommend therapy or other resources if needed1.
FAQ
- What does a physician burnout coach do?
- A burnout coach helps physicians identify sources of stress, set goals to reduce or eliminate those stressors, build time‑management skills, and cultivate ordinary joy. Coaching is forward‑looking and focuses on actions you can take now.
- How much does physician coaching cost?
- Group coaching programs can cost around $400 per physician for a six‑session program, while one‑on‑one coaching often ranges from $1 000 to several thousand dollars depending on the coach’s experience and program length2. Many physicians offset the cost through CME funds or employer well‑being budgets.
- How is coaching different from therapy?
- Therapy is a licensed clinical service focused on healing past trauma and mental health disorders. Coaching is not medical care; it is an action‑oriented process that helps physicians leverage strengths and build new habits for a sustainable career. Therapy may belong‑term and emotionally deep, while coaching tends to be shorter, skills‑based and future‑focused1.
- Can coaching help with moral injury?
- Yes. Coaching can help you identify situations where systemic pressures conflict with your values and develop strategies to advocate for change, set boundaries and find meaning despite constraints. However, coaching cannot fix systemic problems alone; it complements organizational efforts to reduce moral injury.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Burnout is not a personal failure. It’s a consequence of practicing medicine in an increasingly complex and sometimes dehumanizing environment. Coaching is one of several tools that can help physicians regain autonomy, rediscover joy and stay connected to the reasons we chose medicine in the first place. If you’re curious about whether coaching could help you, start by talking to colleagues who have worked with coaches or schedule a discovery call with a certified coach.
For a deeper exploration of burnout, moral injury and cultivating ordinary joy, read our cornerstone guide: Physician Burnout, Moral Injury & Ordinary Joy. If you’re ready to reclaim your well‑being, explore our resilience programs or book a coaching consultation today.
- Physicians Anonymous. “A closer look at physician therapy vs coaching.” December 26, 2023. This resource distinguishes therapy’s focus on healing past psychological issues from coaching’s future‑oriented, action‑based approach. Thus highlighting that coaching is flexible and aims to build skills and resilience.
- UCLA Health News Release. “Power in numbers: Small group professional coaching reduces rates of physician burnout by nearly 30%.” July 11, 2025. This report on a randomized clinical trial found that small‑group coaching reduced burnout by nearly 30%. One‑on‑one coaching reduced burnout by 13.5%, and that group coaching cost $400 per physician versus $1 000 for one‑on‑one sessions.
- Harvard Gazette. “Study: Doctor burnout costs health care system $4.6 billion a year.” July 12, 2019. This analysis estimates that physician burnout costs the U.S. health‑care system about $4.6 billion annually. Cost are due to reduced clinical hours, turnover and recruitment costs.
- American Medical Association. “Burnout eases for doctors at every career stage as support rises.” July 2025. The AMA reported that 43.2% of physicians experienced at least one symptom of burnout in 2024. Down from 48.2% in 2023, but still impacting nearly half of physicians.
