Researchers studied the ability of operating room nurses to adapt to and manage interpersonal conflict incidents. They published their findings in The Journal of Nursing Research.
Researchers examined 201 OR nurses who had worked for more than six months at target hospitals in China. They gave the nurses questionnaires that included a demographic and work-related variables survey; interpersonal conflict management factor analysis scale; and interpersonal conflict parties and frequency scale.
The researchers found that physicians, OR nurses and anesthetists were the primary targets of conflict for the participants. The major interpersonal conflict management strategies nurses employed were integration and arbitration.
The study also shows educational background, job position, experience in other departments, seniority, attending courses in conflict management and level of hospital significantly affected strategies nurses used to manage interpersonal conflict.
Among the study conclusions, study authors note "hospitals should provide more interpersonal conflict management training courses to support the capability of OR nursing staffs."