Home

May 2012

Greensboro, NC

Graduate students from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's masters program in Conflict and Peace Studies have designed this research project to address the role of restorative practices among staff in health care organizations in the Greensboro Triad area.

The nature of disputes between providers in American health care organizations demonstrates the necessity of conflict resolution theories and applications to the field. Research supported by the Joint Commission, Center for American Nurses, Institute of Medicine and other agencies have identified disruptive behaviors by health care professionals as a significant factor in nurse job satisfaction, retention and patient safety. Follow this link for information about participation in Project Collaborative Care.

Findings about the nature of lateral and horizontal conflict in both “fee-for-service” and “bundled care” environments will be explored through interviews with health care administrators, focus groups and surveys completed by nurses across a variety of settings, providing an opportunity to transform patterns of power and behavior towards a culture of safety and respect in health care communities.

RNs who participate in this study will receive the benefit of gaining clarity through shared experiences in the focus groups and individual reflection in the survey component. Administrators who choose to participate will receive an assessment of conflict in their organizations as well as recommendations to foster collaborative behaviors among staff that can improve patient outcomes.

This research aims to exhibit the role that conflict resolution can have in reforming health care systems to more equitable structures that recognizes the value of each individual, including patients and staff. This project is an opportunity to engage in an ongoing process of relationship building with members of the health care community and conflict resolution practitioners in a mutually meaningful way.

Objectives:

• compare the types of conflict and collaborations that occur across fee-for-service and medical home organizations
• analyze how disruptive behaviors affect workplace environments and quality of care
• determine how conflict resolution practices can best support optimal outcomes for providers and patients alike