Medicine is built on expertise. Great healthcare is built on relationships.

Coaching Skills for Medical Professionals (CSMP) equips doctors with the coaching, communication, and leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environments. Led by the Centre’s Academic Director, Janine Ahlers Master Certified Coach, and Professor Cathryn Edwards OBE, the programme helps medical professionals strengthen trust, navigate difficult conversations, lead teams more effectively, and build deeper connections with patients and colleagues.

Designed specifically for doctors, CSMP goes beyond clinical knowledge to develop the human capabilities that drive exceptional care – self-regulation, compassion, resilience, reflective practice, and leadership presence. In fact the programme operates at the intersection of healthcare, ethics, and leadership. Participants will explore key themes such as coaching conversations, focused feedback, courageous communication, trust-building after complaints and complications, the power of language, and strategies for personal renewal and emotional regulation.

Because in healthcare, how you lead, listen, and connect matters just as much as what you know.

You will benefit from this course if you are a medical professional working in the healthcare sector e.g. Senior doctors in postgraduate training, early and mid‑career consultants, medical doctors with formal supervisory, clinical governance or leadership responsibilities.

Yael Duncan: yael.duncan@centreforcoaching.ch

Theory:

• We ask participants to read course material where possible before we then deepen in dialogue.
• We keep to max 15 mins of theory bursts with minimal use of PowerPoint.
• Regular breakouts in small groups to keep a high level of interaction and deepen understanding of the theory. Where possible, we have a member of the faculty present to facilitate the discussion / answer questions.

Own experience:

Adults learn through their own experience. We focus on real issues, not role play.

Safe environment:

We take the time to create a safe, non-judgmental / confidential space to facilitate exploration and open curiosity.

Anchor learning:

Participants anchor their learning on what really happens to them and their Organisation (i.e., apply to themselves and to each other, not told).

Accountability:

We ensure the framework is in place for participants to hold one another accountable.

“Zoom fatigue”:

Regular breaks: to keep the energy & engagement high, a short 5-10 min break every hour, including a body exercise (stretching, breathing, standing), works. This replaces coffee/tea breaks. We take an hour break for lunch.

High faculty-to-participant ratio:

To ensure an optimum online learning experience, the ratio of faculty to participant should be 1:5. We can offer this ratio by using the Centre for Coaching’s large international faculty of professional integral coaches who have all trained with us and who have been supporting our academic and/or organizational programs for a number of years.

CPD Accreditation:
The Centre for Coaching is pursuing HPCSA accreditation for the programme. Content addressing ethical practice, professional accountability, and decision-making may contribute towards Ethics CEU requirements.
Beyond developing coaching and leadership capabilities, the programme invites doctors to engage deeply with the ethical and human dimensions of medical practice—supporting reflective judgement, professional accountability, and compassionate decision-making. Subject to HPCSA approval, selected CPD points may be recognised towards Ethics CEU requirements. For UK participants 14 CPD points are allocated.

In summary, the CSMP integrates theory with doctor‑specific simulations, group coaching, and reflective practice. Assessment is formative and reflexive in nature, including:

• observed leadership conversations
• reflective analyses of clinical cases
• peer and faculty feedback

These methods are intended to evaluate participants’ engagement, self-awareness, skill development, and ability to apply the course concepts in their professional practice.

All 6 modules must be attended. In addition, the lecturers and attending professional coach faculty will require quality classroom participation.

Is this programme suitable for doctors outside South Africa?

Yes. Coaching Skills for Medical Professionals (CSMP) is an international online programme designed for medical professionals working across a range of healthcare systems. Participants benefit from an international faculty and the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues from different countries and clinical settings.

Do I need prior coaching training?

No. The programme is designed specifically for medical professionals and does not require any previous coaching experience. The course introduces practical coaching, communication and leadership skills that can be applied immediately in clinical and healthcare environments.

Is this a coach training programme?

No. CSMP is not intended to train participants as professional coaches. Instead, it helps doctors develop coaching-informed leadership, communication and relationship-building skills that can be applied with patients, colleagues, trainees and healthcare teams.

Who is the programme designed for?

The programme is designed for medical professionals working in healthcare settings, including senior doctors in postgraduate training, early and mid-career consultants, and doctors with supervisory, clinical governance or leadership responsibilities.

What topics does the programme cover?

The programme explores six themes relevant to modern healthcare practice:

1. Coaching and the Doctor as Coach
2. Speech Acts: You Are What You Say
3. Focused Feedback
4. Courageous Conversations
5. Rebuilding Trust: Medical Error, Complications and Complaints
6. Wellbeing, Renewal and Positive Habits for Thriving

How is the programme delivered?

CSMP is delivered live online through six interactive modules. The programme combines faculty input, small group discussion, experiential learning, coaching practice, reflection and peer learning. Participants work with real situations from their own professional contexts rather than role-play scenarios.

How much time will the programme require?

The programme is delivered over six modules across approximately six weeks and provides 16.5 hours of contact time. Participants should also allow time for personal reflection and integration of learning between modules.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who successfully complete all programme requirements will receive a certificate from the University of Cape Town.

Is the programme accredited?

The programme is delivered by the Centre for Coaching at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and is aligned with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies.

Is the programme recognised for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

The programme has been approved by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom for 14 CPD credits. Participants outside the UK are encouraged to check with their own professional body regarding recognition within their jurisdiction.

What are the key benefits of attending?

Participants will develop practical skills to:

1. Navigate difficult conversations more effectively
2. Give and receive feedback with confidence
3. Build trust within teams and clinical relationships
4. Strengthen leadership presence and communication
5. Improve self-awareness and emotional regulation
6. Support long-term wellbeing and career sustainability

Who teaches the programme?

The programme is led by Janine Ahlers, MBA, MCC, Director of the Centre for Coaching, and Professor Cathryn Edwards OBE, MA, D.Phil., FRCP, a physician, educator and former NHS consultant with extensive leadership experience.

Can I speak to someone before registering?

Yes. We would be delighted to arrange a conversation with a member of the faculty team to help you determine whether the programme is a good fit for your professional development goals.

“CSMP coaching sessions gave me rare protected space to pause and reflect on how I show up as a leader and as a healthcare professional in my day-to-day interactions. I have come away with greater self-awareness, confidence, and practical strategies that I am already using in both my clinical and academic roles. It has been a genuinely impactful and grounding experience”. ~ Dr Gaurav Nigam, Gastroenterology, Oxford University Hospitals UK

“I came away feeling like a more holistic doctor – more self-aware and more confident in my skillset – which is hugely beneficial as I prepare to take on a consultant role”. ~ Senior Trainee Gastroenterology Oxford University Hospitals

“The CSMP coaching course was a truly impactful and professionally transformative experience. As a healthcare professional working in high-pressure environments, I found the coaching skills taught – particularly active listening, powerful questioning, and reflective feedback – immediately applicable to clinical leadership, supervision, and team dynamics”.  ~ Dr Rowen Nelson Internal Medicine, UCT and Groote Schuur Hospital, RSA

“The CSMP coaching course was highly relevant and thoughtfully structured, offering practical, immediately applicable skills tailored to the realities of medical practice. The programme created a safe and reflective space that encouraged self-awareness, improved communication, and a deeper understanding of coaching as a developmental tool. The balance between theory, experiential learning, and real-world clinical scenarios was particularly effective”. ~ Dr Malini Bhana, Hepatobiliary Surgical Fellow UCT RSA