4.2.g Discussion: Understanding Interprofessional Conflict

Now you will discuss factors in interprofessional conflict. After reading the quotes and content below, you will engage a discussion activity.

Factors in Interprofessional Conflict

Interprofessional conflict occurs at three levels of the social structure (3):

• Micro -- This includes conflict arising from personal issues and emotional concerns that are influenced by roles, values, experiences, and expectations
• Meso -- This includes conflict arising from physical or clinical concerns
• Macro -- This includes conflict arising from systems issues or organization of care

Very little is known about how micro, meso and macro level factors may influence decision making or the ability to transform conflict into collaboration. However, ongoing conflict can lead to burnout. Various forms of macro-level conflict are the largest contributing factors to health care professionals leaving their practice, as documented in a study of midwives in the UK (5):

"Midwives who have left midwifery were asked the reason(s) why they decided to leave. The top five reasons were: not happy with staffing levels at work (52%); not satisfied with the quality of care they were able to give (48%); not happy with the workload (39%); not happy with the support they were getting from their manager (35%); and not happy with their working conditions (32%).”

According to a survey of 1,200 nurses, physicians, and hospital executives in the U.S. (6):

"... both physicians and nurses agreed that [disruptive behaviour] influences ... attitudes toward patient care and inhibits teamwork, affecting the efficiency, accuracy, safety, and outcomes of care. Disruptive behavior often leads to confrontation and unease among those working closely with these [health care providers], and it can cause widespread frustration among staff members who question why the facility tolerates such behavior. Most importantly, losing just one employee-...-can profoundly affect the hospital's ability to operate and can add to the already high costs of recruitment and replacement.”

A quotation from Kris Emily McCrory, MD, a family medicine physician based in Schenectady, N.Y., is as follows (7):

"I think the biggest challenge is that doctors are no longer in charge. But at the same time it is our licenses and our liability [at risk]."

Complete this Discussion

1. Post a comment about your reaction to one of these quotations. Or you can post a comment about what worries you about interprofessional conflict in your workplace.
2. Post a response to one of your peers about your ideas to overcome the challenges they identified.

This activity is graded based on your participation. Accuracy or quality of your postings will not be scored. You will receive full marks for completion of each discussion activity.  Discussions are worth 20% of your overall course mark.