Dale Giolas MD
Presents the SteadyPhysician Program
A unique system addressing the pain and suffering of burnout, so that you can regain control of
your life without struggling alone using strategies that aren’t working.
Helping You Deal With the Pain of Burnout
Hello, I am Dale Giolas, a coach who focuses on helping physicians deal with burnout and I am delighted to have you here. If you have found your way to this website, it tells me that you, as a physician, are experiencing job-related distress. I understand that burnout is a familiar concept to you, and you may have already explored various resources on the topic. In joining me, I aim to provide you with not only a foundation of knowledge on burnout but also an opportunity to delve deeper into my coaching philosophy and the model that guides my work.
I hope that you will be inspired to take a moment to reflect and consider taking action toward finding a more fulfilling professional and personal life. I invite you to schedule a 60-minute exploratory session to work together to navigate the distress you may be experiencing.
Understanding Burnout: A Point of Departure
Burnout is more than just feeling tired after a long shift or a challenging day. It is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that goes beyond mere rest or time off. Burnout is the overwhelming sense of not meeting constant demands, leading to decreased enthusiasm and energy towards your work. The three core signs of burnout, as articulated by Christina Maslach, are emotional and physical exhaustion, feelings of depersonalization and cynicism, as well as ineffectiveness and underperformance.
Emotional exhaustion may leave you drained and overwhelmed, with a struggle to cope and a lack of productivity. Depersonalization manifests as a detached and cynical attitude towards your patients, diminishing empathy and viewing them as objects rather than individuals. The feeling of reduced accomplishment can result in doubting your abilities and feeling unsatisfied with your professional achievements, even if you are performing well.
If you can relate to some of these signs, you may be suffering from or heading towards burnout, just like 40 to 60% of your colleagues. I encourage you to download a copy of Dr. Maslach’s Burnout survey to gain further insight into your current situation.
Physician Burnout: It’s Not Your Fault!
Burnout often leads to guilt and shame, compounding the suffering and adding to the pain you already feel. You may wonder, “What has happened to me? I feel detached from my patients, I’m not performing at my best, and making errors. And to make matters worse, I am unable to fulfill my role as a family member. I can’t continue like this!” It’s crucial to acknowledge that you are a victim of an increasingly powerful and complex medical-industrial complex.
Burnout emerges from a complex interplay of factors, including the macro environment dimension (government, third-party payers, etc.), the organizational dimension (health systems, hospitals, clinics), the peer dimension (colleagues, physician supervisors), and the individual physician dimension.
In this system, your contribution to burnout largely stems from your desire to be the best physician you can be within a limiting resource environment, restricted autonomy, and compromised values.
What is Physician Coaching?
Let me clarify what physician coaching is not: it does not employ psychiatric or psychological interventions following the medical model focused on identifying and treating problems. It is not mentoring, where advice and solutions are provided. It is also not spiritual coaching as it emphasizes your abilities rather than a higher power.
Physician coaching is a strength-based, action-oriented, and goal-driven endeavor rooted in the belief that you already possess the necessary insight and strengths within you. As your coach, my role is to use powerful inquiry to help you discover your potential, set goals, and initiate and sustain actions that will move you towards a more fulfilling life personally and professionally.
To learn more about how coaching can work for you, feel free to schedule your complimentary 60-minute exploratory session to explore the possibilities.
A Multidimensional, Individualized Approach to Physician Burnout
As your physician coach, I will be a catalyst and thought partner in your journey. We will develop a comprehensive approach to address your present and future using investigative surveys and targeted questioning. By clarifying your situation and identifying future goals, we can capitalize on your strengths, enhance your skills, and design actionable plans aligned with your objectives.
My coaching process is highly personalized and organic. I will primarily follow your lead while delving into critical areas for your growth. While some structure will be in place, such as surveys and assessments, my focus will be guiding you through questions yielding deeper insights. Through this process, you will define goals, develop action plans, and implement changes that will lead to sustainable progress toward a more fulfilling personal and professional life.
To guide and power our efforts, I utilize a unique model that emphasizes four dynamically interrelated elements: Envisioning, Partnership, Inquiry, and Guardrails. I invite you to explore my coaching program to gain a deeper understanding of my SteadyPhysician model and how it can support your journey.
Schedule an Exploratory Session Today
Ready to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life? Click here to schedule your 60-minute Exploratory Session with me.
(Please note: I no longer offer clinical psychiatry services, including diagnostic evaluation, psychotherapy, medication management, and case consultation. My entire professional focus has shifted to providing focused coaching services to individuals seeking to identify and progress towards new and positive goals, both personally and professionally)