Conflict in the operating room: How physician status influences face negotiation.

摘要

The primary purpose of this study was two-fold: to examine and measure the factors that contribute to conflict and miscommunication between physicians in the context of the operating room, and to understand and explain how anesthesiologists and surgeons manage conflict in this unique context. Both components relied on quantitative data generated through surveys administered to a sample of anesthesiologists and surgeons at a hospital in the Southwest.;The first component of this study used confirmatory factor analysis and Pearson correlation to measure variables associated with face-negotiation theory. Survey items measured self-construal, face concern, and conflict style from general and specific orientations. General-orientation items measured the variables from an overall perspective. Specific-orientation items measured the same variables based on a given vignette that presented a conflict occurring between an anesthesiologist and a surgeon as they co-manage patient care during an operating room case. The analyses suggested that variables associated with face-negotiation theory are evident in this context, and that there are some differences in measurement of these variables based on orientation.;The second component of this study used independent sample t-tests to explore the similarities and differences in conflict style utilized by these operating room physicians. Mean scores were statistically analyzed to compare how anesthesiologists and surgeons manage conflict from general and specific orientations. Results determined that these groups of physicians do not differ in conflict management style based on position. Statistical comparisons were also made between attending physicians and residents. Results from these analyses determined that there are differences based on title: from a specific orientation, residents use avoiding conflict style significantly more than attending physicians.;Results of this study suggest that the field of communication can offer valuable insight to help the medical field understand what leads to conflict and miscommunication between physicians. Based on this greater understanding, more effective medical training programs can be constructed to acknowledge and address underlying factors and communication patterns that contribute to communication errors among physicians. In addition, data generated from this study suggests that there is support for continuing to use face-negotiation theory in health communication research surrounding surgical providers.