Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Conflict Management Perspectives Among Physician and Nurse Leaders

In this mixed-methods survey study of PICU physician and nurse leaders, tracking and internal reporting of conflicts and outcomes were associated with more objectively applied interventions. The wide-ranging approaches and thresholds for escalation voiced by our respondents indicate a need to develop standardized and evidence-based processes to ensure greater effectiveness by clinical teams and leaders in addressing conflict and reduce potential disparities in outcomes. Respondents shared ideas for preventive and responsive processes that could be implemented and tested in the future. Learning from existing management approaches may help develop standardized, generalizable interventions to reduce conflict, improve interventions, and reduce subjectivity in the application of interventions.