Conflict Resolution and Management for Medical Practice Teams: Twenty-Five Tips

When two or more members of the medical practice team are locked in a con- flict, their animosity can turn a healthy working environment into a toxic space. That is why the medical practice manager needs to develop skills in conflict pre- vention, conflict management, and conflict resolution. This article explores the negative and positive fallout when medical practice staff members are in conflict with one another. It defines conflict management and conflict resolution and suggests situations when each strategy is best. It offers medical practice man- agers 10 strategies they can use to prevent staff conflicts. It also offers 25 tips for managing and resolving conflicts and a strategy medical practice managers can use if they are personally conflict averse or resistant. It suggests six common sources of workplace conflict and six possible outcomes for employees who are in conflict. Finally, this article describes the real cost of conflict to the medical practice, both monetary and nonmonetary.