Managing Conflict Case: The Difficult Consultant

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Conflict management is a critical skill for emergency physicians (EPs), impacting both provider well-being and patient care quality.
• The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) mandates conflict management competency for residents, including it in the oral certification examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a simulation-based case for training emergency medicine residents in managing conflict with consultants.
• To provide a realistic practice environment for skills assessed in the ABEM Certifying Exam's Managing Conflict case.

Main Methods:

• An iterative case development process involving resident feedback and facilitator evaluations.
• Utilized a standardized patient scenario aligned with ABEM Managing Conflict case format.
• Collected data via Simulation Scenario Evaluation Tool (SSET) and usability surveys.

Main Results:

• The simulation case was well-received by 14 senior residents and 4 facilitators, scoring positively on clarity and ease of use.
• Over 90% of residents found the case materials clear and reported the experience as helpful preparation for the ABEM exam.
• Facilitators expressed confidence in using the case and recommended it for ABEM certifying exam practice.

Conclusions:

• The developed simulation case is a realistic and effective tool for preparing emergency medicine residents for the ABEM Certifying Exam's conflict management component.
• The case facilitates direct observation and assessment of residents' communication and conflict resolution strategies in a structured setting.