Interpersonal Conflict At Sewanee State Mental Hospital

Conflict Complexity Research has shown that the greatest source of workplace stress in hospitals is nurse-supervisor and nurse-physician interpersonal conflicts. This workplace stress can often become a conflict because conflicts that arise because physicians often have hard-driving personalities and little training in interpersonal skills (Ramsay). Disputes can also by brought about and explained by gender, the historical origins of the two professions, disparities between physicians and nurse with regard to socioeconomic status, education, and professional socialization. While these are factors that cannot be controlled, it does impact an already tense situation. When additional factors in the workplace such as divergent values, distinct …show more content…
By exploring these relationships both before and during the conflict, the motives, and possible solutions can be seen. In the Sewanee State Mental Hospital’s case, the key figures in the conflict were Dr. Stephen Renfro and RN Connie Thoroughgood. Thoroughgood was the acting head nurse of the acute care psychiatric unit and worked actively with Dr. Renfro. During this time, while they were working closely together, the facility produced high levels of clinical proficiency. Thoroughgood looked to Dr. Renfro as a mentor, to help her develop knowledge of mental …show more content…
In the case of Thoroughgood and Dr. Renfro, the damage is already done. At this stage, both parties have to restore order and get the organization back to working efficiently. After fighting in front of the staff they need to appear as a united front before things get worse than they already are. To show this united front Thoroughgood and Dr. Renfro must repair their broken relationship. One of the first steps is to recognize their own culpability in the issue (Clark). In trying to resolve a conflict and move forward, both sides have to acknowledge the other side’s feelings and know they are either right or wrong. Is acknowledgment allows the reopening of communication, something desperately needed between Thoroughgood and Dr. Renfro. Another thing that could be beneficial in this instance is a change in the dynamics between the two (Clark). This would allow both parties to voice what they thought the relationship was: mentor, partner, or employee. By voicing this it would lead to less confusion and frustration in the future. The hospital must also make the expectations of the institution clear and explain the duties of all employees. The hospital created and atmosphere which allowed confusion regarding duties and by extension, disrespectful behavior towards the