COVID-19 Programs
Physicians were already suffering from burnout at alarming rates before COVID-19 hit. Now, they are being called upon to do whatever is needed, without any preparation, to battle the pandemic. Healthcare organizations need to provide support NOW to address the emotional impact of the pandemic on their providers.
I offer a variety of accessible, short-term coaching programs for individuals and groups to address the stressors encountered during the pandemic.
Opportunities to process feelings of uncertainty, social isolation, anxiety, fear, financial instability.
Accessible interventions including individual coaching sessions, focused small group sessions, and drop-in large group sessions.
Resources for self-care, building resilience, supporting peers, and integrating mindfulness into leadership and daily interactions.
All programs are conducted using video conferencing in accordance with social distancing protocols.
PROGRAM OPTIONS:
Individual Coaching Sessions
One-to-one 30-minute coaching sessions supporting providers in identifying a specific challenge, a desired goal or outcome, and creating a path forward to address it.
Small Group Coaching Sessions (maximum of 12 participants)
45-60 minute facilitated interactive sessions focused on specific themes related to coping in a time of crisis with an experiential component of self-care practices.
Large Group Drop-in Coaching Sessions (unlimited number of participants)
30-minute facilitated “drop-in” sessions focused on mutual support through sharing experiences during the pandemic.
Resources for General Staff
Articles and short videos related to practices and tools to support resilience and provider well-being (websites, Apps, etc.)
At a Critical Crossroads: Post-Traumatic Stress or Post-Traumatic Growth for Healthcare Providers
Joe Sherman, MD, FAAP
While conducting rounds on the adult cancer unit, our team stopped outside a patient’s room for the intern to present. But he was nowhere to be found. As the attending physician became impatient, the intern ran up with a shocked look on his face. The attending angrily asked where he had been. The intern solemnly stated, “I just saw Dr. Peters jump off the 15th floor balcony of the hospital.” As a third-year medical student on the team, I immediately felt faint and confused. Our attending replied, “That’s a shame. He was a sick man. OK, on to the next patient.” There was no hesitation, no pause to process what we had heard and what this poor young physician witnessed. I stood there silent like an obedient student following my mentor’s example and continued with my work, never to discuss this tragedy in any formal way.
We physicians are trained in solving problems, swallowing emotions, and moving on to the next task at hand. For those of us raised as male in American culture, this is reinforced by what we’ve been taught our entire lives. This can serve us well when handling emergencies and making fast decisions to save lives. But when compartmentalization extends to everything we do, day and night, the vicarious trauma we absorb never gets processed. We end up overwhelmed, isolated, and burned out.
"This retreat addressed a crucial area of education currently lacking in a medical education field. All medical professionals should receive this type of education throughout their careers."
– Physician Leadership Retreat Participant
"The retreat exceeded my expectations: deep learning of the essentials needed to not only live, but to thrive and lead. This retreat is not a sound bite rather than an immersion into the core of timeless leadership."
– Physician Leadership Retreat Participant
"I came to this retreat with some concern that it would be more of the same focus on wellness that does not get to the heart of the issues around burnout. I came away with some revelatory insights into how I interact with others, clear ways I can take better care of myself, and an understanding of how self-care needs to be a priority for the sake of my family, coworkers, organization, and my patients."
– Physician Leadership Retreat Participant
"Joe has a gift for providing structure in a way that allows everyone to have their input while still maintaining the goals for each session. He exhibited calm, warmth, acceptance, and openness to all members in the group."
– Clinical Psychologist, Behavioral Health Team
"Joe is an excellent facilitator. He levels the playing field with his attendees. He has you risk opening to his creative ideas. I always leave his sessions feeling a deep sense of joy!"
– Chaplain, Adult Palliative Care Team
"Joe did an amazing job of creating a safe space where things could be said which needed to be said and heard by everyone on the team."
– Social Worker, Pediatric Palliative Care Team
"Joe has really persevered with medicine as his calling. He's not naïve about the pressures, but he's also not cynical. He has compassion for his patients, but also for providers and still finds joy in his work."
– Clinic Director, Seattle WA
"Joe exudes empathy and kindness, combined with cross-cultural awareness. He's a credible, holistic voice around healthcare, and has the wisdom and compassion of someone who's been there."
– Dave Kwok, Executive Director, HopeCentral Pediatrics, Seattle WA
"He really brings a calmness to tense situations, seeing both sides of the table. He approaches every person with the same genuine spirit. You walk away having a better understanding of yourself, your strengths, and a better understanding of how to ask for support."
– Health Administrator, Seattle WA
"Joe has a wealth of clinical experience and understands what it's like to work in community health with vulnerable populations. He has a real understanding of being in the grind in a clinical capacity or in an administrative or a leadership role."
– Physician Leader, Seattle WA
"During our workshop, Joe made people feel like it was a special sacred time even though it was over Zoom in this huge group. They commented, 'It was amazing. The breakout sessions were so valuable and the way it was done was so thoughtful.'"
– Physician workshop participant, Seattle WA
"Working with Joe allowed me to make my professional well-being a top priority, and allowed me to troubleshoot with someone knowledgeable, compassionate, and invested in my success. I am now getting out of work earlier every day, with much of my work done as I leave the clinic and my days off feel so much lighter and more pleasant."
– Family Practitioner, Bend OR
"I loved working with Joe. I came to him in a state of burnout and was able to find new wonder and possibility in my current job. I appreciate his approach of dreaming big, and really value his knowledge of self-compassion and self-care."
– Pediatrician, Seattle WA
"After working with Joe, I listen more reflectively and less emotionally, which allows me to connect with individual patients while leaving me with a little more energy for my family at the end of the day."
– Corey Dickenson, Family Practitioner, Country Doctor Health Center, Seattle WA
"I gained more confidence in myself as a physician/healer with clarification of what I truly value and how to make more time for those things. Joe's sincere presence and interest in my life and struggles was priceless."
– Christina Pease MD, General Pediatrician, SeaMar Community Health Center, Seattle WA
"Joe is open, non-judgmental, caring, thoughtful, flexible, easy to communicate with, and has a wealth of knowledge."
– Shoshana Aleinikoff, MD - Family Physician, individual client and retreat participant
"Joe's an incredible leader. People trust him and believe in his vision. He is able to bring people together and make them feel like a real team, all working with the same purpose. People trust him and are willing to go to difficult places with him. You meet Joe and you feel immediately comfortable and connected."
– Becky Sherman, PhD, Physician Therapist and Coach