ACP Physician Peer Coaching Frequently Asked Questions

Coaching is a goal-focused journey that helps individuals get from where they are to where they want to be.  

Through structured conversation, including active listening, reflection, and asking powerful questions, coaching helps individuals:

• Define a vision
• Identify specific goals
• Explore options and solutions
• Create an action plan

The American College of Physicians (ACP) offers physician peer coaching for practicing clinicians.

ACP physician coaches are practicing physicians who understand the realities, challenges and opportunities of practicing medicine in the current environment. Common coaching topics include leadership development, career planning, burnout prevention, work-life integration, practice transitions, and professional growth.

ACP offers:

• 1:1 coaching
• Small group coaching (up to six participants per session)
• Single-session coaching engagements
• Ongong coaching sessions over a 3 or 6 month period

ACP also offers a training program to teach physicians coaching skills. Click here to learn more about ACP’s coach training opportunities.  

• In coaching, you are in the driver’s seat. Your coach uses a combination of listening, reflection, and asking powerful questions to help guide you to where you want to go.  
• In mentoring, the mentor leads and offers specific guidance or advice based on their relevant experience and expertise.
• Coaching is focused on respecting your expertise and providing you with the tools to discover how to solve your problems, navigate challenges, and achieve your goals.

• Anyone can benefit from coaching. Coaching helps people in different circumstances achieve a desired outcome.
• Coaching can help people who are feeling stuck, experiencing change, or interested in exploring new options or opportunities.  
• Physicians have received coaching to support a wide variety of goals, including:
  • Managing burnout
  • Deciding the right balance between clinical time and direct patient care versus administrative responsibilities
  • Choosing a fellowship program
  • Leadership development and transitioning into leadership roles
  • Establishing private practice
  • Creating a 5-year career plan  
  • Balancing career/professional goals with personal life
  • Supporting quality improvement projects
  • Planning for retirement
  • Negotiating a contract
  • Transitioning into academic medicine

• ACP-trained coaches complete the ACP Physician Peer Coach Training Program. This program is offered in two formats: 12-month virtual and 6-month hybrid. Both formats include the same number of training hours (30.5 training hours).
• The training includes:
  • Access to the ACP Physician Peer Coach Training Curriculum
  • 14 hours of live training (virtual or hybrid) plus 16.5 hours of asynchronous training 
  • Multiple opportunities to practice coaching with peers and receive personalized feedback

• The training program enrolls new cohorts one to two times per year.
• Upcoming offerings include a 12-month virtual program beginning in January 2027 and a 6-month hybrid program beginning in April 2027.
• ACP also offers custom coach training options for institutions. Institutions interested in learning more about custom coach training options should contact coaching@acponline.org.  

• The training costs $4,000 per participant.
• ACP offers discounted pricing options for groups of 10 or more. Institutions or groups interested in enrolling in the ACP Physician Peer Coach Training program should contact coaching@acponline.org to learn more.  
• Many physicians are eligible for professional development or CME reimbursement through their employer. To help support your reimbursement request, we've created a customizable template letter you can share with your institution outlining the value of ACP's Physician Peer Coach Training Program.

The total time commitment for the program is 30.5 hours over the 12- or 6-month program. This includes 14 hours of live training (virtual or hybrid) and 16.5 hours of asynchronous training.  

• Earn a certificate of completion and the title of ACP-trained Coach
• Earn CME credits and ABIM MOC points
• The ACP Physician Peer Coach Training Program is a Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) Registered 1069-BCC training provider. This course is approved for 30 hours for the Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential.