Interprofessional conflict and conflict management in an educational setting

Abstract

Background: Whenever health professionals work together as a team, conflict is inevitable – some would argue even necessary. However, conflict can have negative effects on patient care, job satisfaction, personal wellness, and professional productivity.

Purpose: This study aims to describe interprofessional conflicts in a hospital setting from the perspective of three groups of health science students.

Methods: An online questionnaire survey collected data from 225 health science students (medicine, nursing, and social work) in Northern California (USA). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted resulting in seven central themes of conflict.

Results: There are differences among health professional students in terms of how conflict is experienced and managed. Nursing students and medical students were more likely to take on the “victim” role when explaining their conflict, and their conflicts were more likely to be intra-professional. The most common cause of conflicts was related to hierarchy and power issues. The majority were dissatisfied with the way the conflict was resolved.

Conclusions: Findings from this study can be used to design interprofessional curriculum to improve outcomes from conflicts and improve wellbeing, job satisfaction, and reduce patient turnover.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the health science students who completed the survey. The authors also wish to thank the Steering Committee who helped develop the survey including Margaret Rea, Maureen Brodie, and Debra Ward. Erica Palmer and Amy Mellin provided invaluable administrative help.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Glossary

Social work: Is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.International Federation of Social Workers (July 2014). Global Definition of the Social Work Profession Retrieved from http://ifsw.org/get-involved/global-definition-of-social-work/

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Broukhim

Michael Broukhim, DO, MPH, MS, is a Psychiatry Resident at the University of Arizona. His Masters of Science degree is in Complementary and Alternative Medicine from the University of Georgetown.

Francis Yuen

Francis Yuen, DSW, ACSW, is a Professor of Social Work at California State University, Sacramento. He is the Chief Editor for the Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation. He has been a program evaluator and researcher for many organizations internationally including the AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Census Bureau.

Haley McDermott

Haley McDermott, MPH, is a Research Analyst at a nonprofit center for Behavioral Health. Ms. McDermott has more than 5 years of experience in qualitative research and evaluation methodologies, specializing in mixed-methods evaluation of health education and behavioral change efforts in rural, domestic, and international settings.

Keri Miller

Keri L. Miller, MSW, is a Medical Social Worker for Sutter Care at Home Hospice in Sacramento, California. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and her masters of Social Work from California State University, Sacramento.

Leslie Merrill

Leslie Merrill, MSW, PPS, is a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker at Folsom Cordova Unified School District. She specializes in program development and data analysis to increase access to mental health services within the educational system.

Robin Kennedy

Robin Kennedy, PhD, Professor, Division of Social Work, Sacramento State University, currently serves as Chair of the Health & Aging specialization in the MSW program. She currently serves as lead Social Work faculty engaged in inter-professional health education with the University of California.

Michael Wilkes

Michael Wilkes MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine and Global Health and Senior Consultant in Medical Education at the University of California. He has worked to establish new, and revitalize existing, medical and health science schools around the globe.