Conflicts and conflict management in the collaboration between nurses and physicians - a qualitative study
Leever, A.M.; Hulst, M.V.D.; Berendsen, A.J.; Boendemaker, P.M.; Roodenburg, J.L.N.; Pols, J.
Journal of Interprofessional Care 24(6): 612-624
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1469-9567
PMID: 20919957
DOI: 10.3109/13561820903550762
Accession: 052292006
In health care, optimal collaboration between nurses and physicians is crucial in the quality of the care process – but not self-generating. Little is known about how health-care professionals cope with conflicts within their collaboration. This qualitative study investigates the way nurses and physicians cope with conflict and clarifies the determinants of conflict management styles. All respondents formulate clear expectations which in their opinion are essential to collaboration. When collaboration leads to disagreement, physicians and nurses choose between ignoring the conflict or engaging in it. Choice is determined by five factors: the influence of oneself, the influence of the other, the nature of the conflict, the context of conflict, and personal motives.