title: Preventing and De-Escalating Ethical Conflict: A Communication-Training Mediation Model.
abstract: While ethical conflicts in the provision of healthcare are common, the current third-party mediator model is limited by a lack of expert ethical mediators, who are often not on site when conflict escalates. In order to improve clinical outcomes in situations such as conflicts at the end of life, we suggest that clinicians-physicians, nurses and social workers-be trained to prevent and de-escalate emerging conflicts. This can be achieved using a mediation model framed by a communication-training approach. A case example is presented and the model is discussed. The implication of this preventative/early intervention model for improving clinical outcomes, in particular end-of life conflict, is considered.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 585 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065 USA. tol9003@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Tomer T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10022 USA.parkerp@mskcc.org.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making / Q000941:ethics; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D017008:Negotiating / Q000379:methods; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents