2026 BUMC Proceedings - Identifying root causes and strategies for conflict resolution

Abstract 

Conflict is inevitable. Managing conflict requires self-reflection, realization of social and interpersonal aspects, and a well-thought-out strategic approach. Conflict often causes us to focus on and attribute the cause to our counterpart’s personality deficits, even as we view our own role as situational. Conflicts are usually emotionally laden. Amygdala hijack and an uncontrolled response are risks. The external environment, situation, behavior patterns (consistency, distinctiveness, or social acceptability), and cognitive elements all need to be considered before reacting. Hospital organizational dynamics, among other things, can cause frustration. Conflicts arise based on people’s intentions, motivations, psychological or physiological safety, feeling of belonging, and self-esteem. Understanding these influences and potential differences from our own state of mind allows us to consciously focus on a collaborative approach that aims to achieve a win-win solution for all involved. Incorporating a mechanism that allows logic to overcome the inevitable emotional component of the conflict is useful. The 4-second “pause” to gain “perspective” allows one to “prepare” a response for a nonemotional “presentation.” This “4P’s” strategy helps us focus on the issue, not our position on it, listen and stay in the present, and communicate without blame or assumption. It is critical to keep in mind that although conflict involves risk and cost, with effort it can be successfully managed to maintain strong relationships.  

Keywords:  Aggression; attributions; Big Five personality traits; conflict management; conflict styles; emotions; motivations

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Faculty credentials/disclosure 

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. 

Process

Click the "add to cart/begin" button, pay any relevant fee, take the quiz, complete the evaluation, and claim your CME credit.  You must achieve 100% on the quiz with unlimited attempts available.

  • By completing this process, you are attesting that you have read the journal article.

Expiration date:

Credit eligibility for this article is set to expire on July 1, 2027.

Learning Objectives

After completing the article, the learner should be able to:

  • Assess the ability to analyze a workplace or personal situation and correctly identify the underlying root cause of a conflict. 

  • Evaluate the ability to choose an effective conflict resolution approach in a professional setting.  

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Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery (ABS) Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
    • 1.00 Ethics
  • 1.00 Attendance
    • 1.00 Ethics
Course opens: 
07/01/2026
Course expires: 
07/01/2027
Cost:
$25.00

Thomas Cox, PsyD,a Julie Higginbotham, MAa, Emily Reynolds, MSa, Anthony Pichionni, PhDa, and James Fleshman, MDb 

a Department of Graduate Medical Education, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA 

b Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA 

Corresponding author: Thomas Cox, PsyD, Faculty Development and Research Education, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246 (e-mail: [email protected]) 

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. 

Accreditation

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABS CC

Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

ABIM MOC

 Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery (ABS) Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
    • 1.00 Ethics
  • 1.00 Attendance
    • 1.00 Ethics

Price

Cost:
$25.00
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