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THREAD ABOUT AVOIDING CONFLICT BETWEEN ED MDs & CONSULTANTS (Academic Center)
1/ Recently, I have personally experienced and heard from colleagues challenging interactions that have left both parties feeling unhappy.
I think COVID is wearing us all out and taking a toll.
1/ Recently, I have personally experienced and heard from colleagues challenging interactions that have left both parties feeling unhappy.
I think COVID is wearing us all out and taking a toll.
2/ Although not as frequent, conflict existed even before COVID times.
Sometimes we are to blame. To try to mitigate our contribution to the problem, we teach & practice giving consults in a concise/professional manner in our training program.
Sometimes we are to blame. To try to mitigate our contribution to the problem, we teach & practice giving consults in a concise/professional manner in our training program.
3/ We understand that our consultants have sometimes been on call for many hours, are overworked and extremely busy. Sometimes disagreements in care plans still result in conflict.
These can escalate into interactions that verge on unprofessional.
These can be avoided/mitigated
These can escalate into interactions that verge on unprofessional.
These can be avoided/mitigated
4/ Tips on Avoiding Conflict for Consultants:
A. Always be polite & professional. The other person didn’t wake up and show up to work to ruin your day.
B. Listen, acknowledge and validate concern. Thank/Appreciate the other person for advocating for their patient.
A. Always be polite & professional. The other person didn’t wake up and show up to work to ruin your day.
B. Listen, acknowledge and validate concern. Thank/Appreciate the other person for advocating for their patient.
5/
C. Propose an alternative (redirecting to another service, urgent outpatient follow-up/consultation) with contingency planing.
D. If unable to resolve with above, see the patient. Most hospitals have policies on this anyway. Easier to discuss when both parties have assessed.
C. Propose an alternative (redirecting to another service, urgent outpatient follow-up/consultation) with contingency planing.
D. If unable to resolve with above, see the patient. Most hospitals have policies on this anyway. Easier to discuss when both parties have assessed.
6/
E. Provide non-judgemental, constructive feedback to the person with clear rationale as to why your treatment plan was different. Even though you disagreed, this can be a learning/teaching opportunity!
Be polite and kind. No-one changes their mind when they feel attacked.
E. Provide non-judgemental, constructive feedback to the person with clear rationale as to why your treatment plan was different. Even though you disagreed, this can be a learning/teaching opportunity!
Be polite and kind. No-one changes their mind when they feel attacked.
7/
F. Remember that medicine & patient care is a team sport. We are all on the same team and everyone is just trying to do what’s best for the patient - even if we disagree on what that is.
Building bridges is always better than creating rifts.
F. Remember that medicine & patient care is a team sport. We are all on the same team and everyone is just trying to do what’s best for the patient - even if we disagree on what that is.
Building bridges is always better than creating rifts.
8/ Always happy to help you out where I can (and within reason).
I know that every time I call you, it usually is associated with added work to your already busy schedule.
Just remember that I didn’t ask the patient to come in. I didn’t cause the disease.
I’m doing my best.
I know that every time I call you, it usually is associated with added work to your already busy schedule.
Just remember that I didn’t ask the patient to come in. I didn’t cause the disease.
I’m doing my best.
9/ I don’t want to make more work. I’m calling to ask for your help - because I’m uncertain to uncomfortable with something.
Let’s work together to figure out what’s best for both of us and the patient. In order to do that though, I need to feel that we are on the same team.
Let’s work together to figure out what’s best for both of us and the patient. In order to do that though, I need to feel that we are on the same team.
10/ If you’re angry & frustrated - that’s okay. We’ve all been there. If you need to rant later privately about how dumb I am, that’s fine!
As long as our interaction is professional and polite - I’m happy!
P.S. Also, it’s important the behaviours we model for junior learners.
As long as our interaction is professional and polite - I’m happy!
P.S. Also, it’s important the behaviours we model for junior learners.
