Vital Conversations: An Interactive Conflict Resolution Training Session for Fourth-Year Medical Students.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Teamwork
• Conflict Resolution

Background:

• Effective teamwork and collaboration are crucial for patient care, as recognized by the AAMC.
• Relationship conflicts negatively impact healthcare worker productivity and job satisfaction.
• Undergraduate medical education often lacks formal conflict resolution training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a conflict resolution curriculum for fourth-year medical students.
• To provide a simulated environment for practicing conflict resolution skills before residency.

Main Methods:

• Fourth-year medical students participated in a mandatory transition-to-residency course.
• The curriculum included online prework, a simulated conflict with a standardized patient (nurse), and self-evaluation with coaching.
• Students completed a conflict resolution exercise, including reflection and feedback.

Main Results:

• 108 students completed the exercise, finding the curriculum feasible and acceptable.
• Students reported the session prompted self-reflection and served as a valuable review of conflict resolution.
• Feedback from standardized patients and faculty was highly valued by students.

Conclusions:

• A simulated conflict resolution exercise was successfully implemented for medical students.
• The curriculum effectively prepared students for residency by enhancing their conflict resolution abilities.