Post-vSimulation Reflection of Interprofessional Communication During Difficult

Situation
Thinking about the interprofessional teams that you work within:

1) What strategies will you use to manage conflict within the team?

Conflict is rare; depending on where I have worked, it’s usually pretty collaborative,
and everyone worked well together. However, at times when conflict arises, I would
speak with the individual involved in the conflict privately, respectfully and
professionally. I would inform them of the observed behaviour or recite what they might
have said and explain to them how I perceived it, ask them about their
feelings/thoughts on the situation and come to a resolution. If the conflict affects
patient care then it should be resolved as soon as possible. If the conflict is not resolved
or issues continue to arise, I would inform management for further direction.

2) Which areas of your own communication within the team would you like to
focus on developing?
The current unit I work at is fairly small, the doctors know all the nurses by name and
everyone works together to provide care to the patients. All the nurses know all the
patients as well, so often many nurses might step in and take over the care of a patient
if they already have built-in rapport. I’ve been told I’m a passive communicator and
should speak up more often and not let anyone step in. I do hope to build that
confidence in communicating with my patients and my team and be able to step in in
difficult situations with my own patients, However, I find due to the population and the
nature of the unit (child and adolescent psychiatric unit), I rather have someone with
better communication skills to take over and prevent escalation. I believe this will come
with experience.