HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
How Conflict Between Medical Professionals Impacts Patients Conflicts at the workplace cost organisations time, money and other resources. In healthcare, the cost to the patient when she witnesses disagreements between her medical team can be devastating. Not only does it cause undue stress on a patient, but it might also impact the importance of trust for patients and family members to have with their care team. Without this level of confidence between patient, nurse or physician, the safety and willingness to follow instructions, emotional well-being and ability to improve a patient’s outcome can be hampered. Nancy Michaels, President, NancyMichaels.com
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A SI A N H O S P I T A L & H EA LT HCA R E M A N AGE M E N T
IS S UE - 48, 2020
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n the United States, the total financial blow of dealing with workplace conflict is estimated to be at US$359 billion in paid hours or 2.8 hours per week for each involved employee. This is based on a May 2008 study commissioned by the CPP to analyse workers’ attitudes about conflict. 5,000 full-time employees in nine countries around Europe and the Americas were surveyed, including Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States .
