Physician/Nurse Conflict

Physician-nurse conflict results in unhealthy work environments and poor patient outcomes. Both professions must provide leadership in conflict prevention and resolution and improve their collaborative skills.

Disruptive Physician Behavior

• In a 2002 VHA survey at 50 hospitals in 12 states, 94 percent of responding RNs had witnessed disruptive physician behavior. Nearly 60 percent said these incidents could have resulted in adverse events for patients or the hospital. A 2003 survey by NYSNA (New York State Nurses Association) on workplace violence confirmed these findings.

Effect on Nurse Retention

• A 2001 survey by VHA of 1,200 doctors and nurses revealed that nurse morale is strongly affected by daily nurse-physician interactions. All respondents saw a direct link between nurse satisfaction and retention and disruptive physician behavior. Twenty-four percent had witnessed nurses leaving their job for this reason.

Effect on Patients

• According to a 2005 paper entitled "Nurse-Physician Relationships--Solutions & Recommendations for Change," a positive correlation has been found between the quality of nurse-physician relationships and the reported quality of care for patients, including lower mortality rates.

What Physicians Can Do

• In his Internet newsletter, health care consultant Kenneth H. Cohn, M.D. states that career-focused physicians "come late" to valuing relationships and teamwork in creating a practice environment in which they enjoy coming into work. Physicians must concentrate on honing their collaborative skills.

What Nurses Can Do

• Nurse leaders should insist on zero-tolerance towards abusive behavior, help new nurses develop collaborative communication skills, and see that nurses participate actively in walking patient rounds with physicians.