Doctors' Support Network
peer support for doctors and medical students with mental health concerns
Doctors' Support Network Coaching Project
A targeted short-term coaching intervention for doctors
Many doctors found themselves questioning their current career choices, or even their future in medicine, around the Covid 19 pandemic. DSN was honoured to receive an initial grant of £29,000 from the directors of the
Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment Trust to support a short-term coaching project around Covid.
The initial donation has now all been allocated but DSN has decided to continue to provide a FREE, short -term coaching intervention focusing on UK based doctors with career concerns related to their mental health.
What is coaching - and is it right for me?
Executive coach Dr Fiona Day has written a couple of great articles about coaching which you can read on our Professional Support page.
Please note that Fiona writes 'It is...recommended that if you have a history of current or recent mental health difficulties that you and the coach are absolutely explicit at all stages of the coaching process about the limits of coaching, and that it is not an alternative for treatment for mental health difficulties.'
Sources of mental health support are listed on our Support for doctors page.
If you're currently under the care of a doctor or therapist regarding your mental health, DSN advises that you check in with them as to whether they feel that this is the right time for you to undertake coaching.
The Applicants
Does an applicant for the free coaching need to be a DSN member?
No, an applicant does not need to be a DSN member (DSN is free to join - find out more here). The main criteria of eligibility are that the doctor's reason for applying for coaching should be related to their mental health and they should be based in the U.K.
Equality of opportunity: candidates for the DSN coaching project will be selected on the basis of their aptitude, ability and needs. DSN does not provide less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, or sex and sexual orientation. DSN is opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination as detailed in our Equality and Diversity policy.
What do the recipients of the coaching think about the offer?
One recent comment from a happy customer! 'Just had my first session and it was brilliant'.
The Coaches
List of services
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Dr Hasanen Al-Taiar Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special or a unique service that you offer.
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Dr Jan Birtle Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special or a unique service that you offer.
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Dr Lenia Constantine Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special or a unique service that you offer.
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Dr Andrew Leahy Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Dr Geoff Marston Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special or a unique service that you offer.
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How are the coaches selected?
The coaches are all experienced senior doctors with long experience of UK medical practice. They all hold Institute of Learning and Management (ILM) coaching qualifications to Level 5 or above.
How will the coaching be delivered?
It is envisaged that the majority of the coaching sessions will continue be delivered remotely.
How do I book my coaching sessions?
Successful applicants to the coaching project will book their own sessions directly with their chosen coach. DSN will be directly invoiced by the coach for the sessions.
N.B. If the applicant does not attend their first scheduled coaching session - without adequate notice - then no further sessions will be provided.
The Coaching
Will the coaching be confidential?
The content of the coaching sessions will be confidential to the doctor and the coach UNLESS the coach considers that there is a risk of harm to patients, the doctor or others.
How long will the coaching go on for?
An individual recipient will receive up to five hours of coaching over the course of approximately one year.
How to apply for coaching
Please complete the online form (linked to the button on the right) to apply. Note that we will aim to reply with a decision within a few weeks of your application.
The application process is confidential.
An alternative source of coaching support
The NHS Leadership Academy offers coaching and mentoring for doctors and other healthcare staff in England. Find out more on their website HERE
Coaching project virtual launch Saturday 8th May 2021
Watch a video of the launch event here including Richard Duggins's talk on Getting well and keeping well as a doctor
Speaker : Dr RIchard Duggins, consultant medical psychotherapist with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust and clinical lead for NHS Practitioner Health in the North East and Cumbria.
Richard has a longstanding interest in the health of health professionals, having previously led the North East specialist support service.
Link to Richard's recent webinar on 'Burnout & Healthy Habits'
Lead coach Dr Jan Birtle gave a short introduction to coaching.
DSN Mailing List
Please complete the form below if you would like to receive occasional updates about DSN and UK physician health by email (AND you are not intending to JOIN DSN - if you are joining DSN, you will be added to our members' mailing list). Mailing list contacts CANNOT access our anonymous, confidential, members only Support Forum - for Full or Student members only.
How to JOIN DSN as a Full, Student or Associate member - click here.
Updates can include invitations to take part in physician health surveys by other individuals or organisations. We will not use your contact details for anything else unless you say we can. You can find out more about how we store and use your data and what your rights are in our privacy policy.
A DSN update will be a formatted email (using Sendinblue ) with an 'unsubscribe' option.
DSN mailing list
The Doctors' Support Network
Registered charity : England & Wales 1196277
(previously no. 1103741) Scotland SC046980
Disclaimer
All opinions expressed on this website are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect an official position of DSN. DSN cannot accept responsibility for any actions taken as a result of content of the website. Links to other organisations are provided for information only and are not a recommendation. In particular, you may want to check about confidentiality when contacting other organisations.
