GRIT for Women in Medicine – Part I

By Loren Deutsch

“I recently attended Mayo Clinic’s GRIT for Women in Medicine Conference. GRIT stands for Growth, Resilience, Inspiration, and Tenacity. This was among the first in-person conferences I’ve attended since the pandemic. I was thrilled to connect with colleagues and present my abstract “The Impact of Change in Medical Education: A System-Based Approach to Teaching and Academic Support.

The conference emphasized gender-balanced leadership teams, and the importance of collaboration, and effective communication. Inspired by these themes, I focused my abstract on the systems in which we learn and the significance of context when teaching, training, or providing academic coaching to support students and early-career physicians. The presentation showcased the LAS Coaching Model and included sample vignettes and our systems-based feedback loop”.

The following vignette highlights reasons for seeking LAS Medical Coaching. It is a fictional vignette and not based on current or previous LAS clients. It is intended for teaching and training purposes only.

LAS Medical Coaching is a time-limited model that addresses content knowledge and process skills in a formal relationship between coach and client. Coaching goals often include academic achievement, test preparation, remediation, clinical decision-making, and mental fitness, among others. LAS Coaching plans include self-reflective strategies, and designated time for self-care (e.g., sleep, fitness, nutrition, social connection, etc.). LAS Coaching includes training methods like those used by professional athletes, musicians, and academic decathletes. LAS Coaching unlocks potential, deepens knowledge, and enhances performance.

LAS Medical Coaches are not medical doctors and instead, use their coaching skills to guide clients to unlock their expertise. LAS Coaches are trained in curriculum design, the LAS Coaching Model, verbal reasoning, decision-making, test-taking, and executive functioning skills. During training, supervision, and group process, LAS Coaches develop their technique using the system-based feedback loop described below. The feedback loop is part of a dynamic process that begins with the initial consultation and plan development. Weekly coaching provides structure, support, and accountability for students and early career physicians.

In Part II, we will review key components of the LAS Coaching Model and how it addresses information in the vignette above, including the initial consultation, developing a plan with measurable goals, and changing habits of mind. For more information, click here to contact LAS.