Some challenges become easier by the 4th year of medical school, such as getting along with other clinical staff, however, others that arise from more interaction with patients and more clinical responsibilities may increase.
Medical students and residents increasingly experience some of the following challenges experienced by practicing physicians as they gain in responsibility.
Common Sources of Conflict Among Physicians
(Saltman et al., 2006).
Information mismatch
The results you gave me were for the wrong patient” (skills)
Inadequate information
I don’t have the patient notes in front of me” (organization)
Information overload
The patient has three large files!” (organization)
Ambiguous jurisdictions
I don’t know who has the sign off on that issue.” (prohibitive environments)
Ambiguous instructions
The duty registrar told me not to do that” (skills and environment)
Communication barriers
They never return phone calls.” (skills)
Unresolved prior conflicts
We always have a problem with the trust about the final report.” (priorities)
Over dependency of one party
We will have to wait until our budget is handed down.” (priorities)
From:
Saltman DC, O’Dea NA, Kidd MR. Conflict Management: A Primer for Doctors in Training. Postgrad Med J. January 2006;82(963):9-12. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.034306. PMCID: PMC2563732. PMID: 16397073.
