Communicating to Resolve Conflict

Lack of effective communication can lead to conflict, especially in areas of health care that are fast-paced, time-sensitive, have high patient acuity, and where multiple disciplines must work together in close quarters to address a task. The operating room (OR) is one of the areas in the health care setting that has all these elements which could lead to the perfect storm in conflict. Conflict can have negative or positive results depending on how it is resolved. This article includes an overview of conflict in the OR and suggests strategies to use to resolve conflict positively.