Conferences & Events

Understanding individual identities is crucial for effective conflict resolution within diverse, interprofessional healthcare teams. Healthcare professionals bring unique social and professional identities to their work, which can significantly influence their perceptions, interactions, and relationships with colleagues. These identities, shaped by factors such as race, gender, culture, and professional background, contribute to the richness and complexity of healthcare teams. However, tensions may arise when conflicting values tied to these identities hinder transparent communication, trust, and the ability to achieve shared goals, ultimately compromising the quality of patient care.

To address these challenges, it is essential for healthcare teams to develop self-awareness about explicit and implicit biases and implement strategies to mitigate behaviors that hinder collaboration. The Thomas-Killmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), a widely recognized tool, can help individuals understand their preferred conflict resolution styles and adapt their approaches to different situations and team dynamics. By recognizing and appreciating the diversity of identities within their teams, healthcare professionals can foster a shared mental model and work towards establishing lasting trust.

This seminar aims to explore the impact of individual identities on conflict resolution strategies within healthcare teams. The learning objectives are:

1. Identify potential tensions arising from diverse identities within interprofessional teams and their impact on communication, trust, and shared goal achievement.
2. Apply a simplified version of the TKI to enhance self-awareness and adapt conflict resolution strategies to different situations and team dynamics.

In the seminar we will discuss the concepts of social and professional identities, intersectionality, and their relevance to healthcare teams. Participants will examine case studies and real-world examples that illustrate the impact of identity-related tensions on team collaboration and patient care. We will introduce concepts that illustrate the importance of understanding individuality and practice strategies to support various conflict resolution styles.

This seminar will equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to understand and navigate the complexities of social and professional identities within interprofessional teams. Participants will gain valuable insights and acquire practical tools to enhance collaboration within diverse, interprofessional teams. Ultimately, this understanding and skill development will contribute to improved patient care quality, increased caregiver well-being, and the creation of an inclusive and diverse healthcare culture.