Medical students can learn to handle medicine’s inevitable conflicts

By
Brendan Murphy Senior News Writer
| 2 Min Read

Whether it’s through interactions with patients and their families or with peers, conflict will arise in a health care setting. Understanding the sources of those conflicts and how to navigate them is a necessary skill for a future physician.

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But how can one learn effective conflict resolution? An AMA Ed HubTM module, part of the AMA Medical Student Leadership Learning Series, aims to answer that question.  

“For medical students, being great at your coursework and understanding the science and technical aspects of health care delivery are the table stakes” said Ann Manikas, the AMA’s director of organizational development and learning. “The differentiator needed to win is having great leadership skills.” 

Learn how to master the subtle art of communication as a medical student.

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What causes conflicts, how to resolve them

The module identifies the main sources of conflict. While each source and situation are unique, the ways in which a conflict can be resolved tend to be most effective if they are collaborative.

With this course, medical students will learn to:

  • Define conflict and identify its sources.
  • Describe different conflict management styles.
  • Apply strategies to resolve conflict.
  • Describe guidelines for getting into the right mindset when dealing with conflict.

Related Coverage

4 tips to enhance patient communication as a medical student

Learning to lead 

The aforementioned medical student leadership modules are among the many benefits available exclusively to AMA members. The AMA is with its members every step of the way. For medical students, that means the AMA provides resources to thrive—academically and in charting your career—throughout your  undergraduate medical education.  

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