OCTOBER 1997, VOL 66, NO 4 R E V I E W S

F11.111 REVIEW

EFFECTIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION STRATEGIES IN THE OPERATING ROOM

his videotape begins with sev- eral real-life scenarios of ver- T bal abuse in the OR. The

videotape also presents the effect of disruptive behavior on self- esteem, staff morale, productivity, and patient care.

The main focus of the film is to suggest strategies for effective conflict resolution. The strategies are presented on two levels. The first scenarios present individual interpersonal conflicts and one- on-one strategies for resolution. Assertive techniques are intro- duced and role-playing is pro- posed as a means of practice for staff members.

resolution is a systems approach with four major components:

identify the problem, m create interventions, m look at outcomes, and m evaluate progress regularly. Each step is discussed in detail and examples are provided in both the videotape and in the accompa- nying study guide.

One of the strengths of the videotape and study guide is the presentation of a sample code of conduct and examples of nursing core leadership values that can be adapted to any perioperative envi- ronment. The expected norms and processes for conflict resolution are presented in the code of con- duct. The core values are articulat- ed and operational examples are presented for patient and family- centered care, concern for one another, professional develop- ment, integrity, teamwork, and balance. Finally, a social contract

The second strategy for conflict

for creating a healthy workplace is outlined. The use of the videotape and study guide is an excellent learning tool for all members of the perioperative team.

The videotape and and study guide can be purchased for $95 by contacting Cine-Med at (800) 633- o004.

AILEEN R. KILLEN RN, PHD(c), CNOR

NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

RESEARCH REVIEW

VERBAL ABUSE OF STAFF NURSES BY PHYSICIANS M A Manderino, N Berkey Journal of Professional Nursing Vol13 (JanuarylFebruary 1997) 48-55

erbal abuse typically exists in relationships of unequal power. As a factor in main-

taining disproportional power between individuals, verbal abuse is a critical element in tra- ditional nurse-physician relation- ships. Previous researchers have documented that nurses often are targets of verbal abuse by physi- cians and that this abuse has neg- ative effects on patient care, work productivity, morale, job satisfaction, job security, and error rates.

The researchers designed this descriptive correlational study to explore verbal abuse of nurses by physicians. They used the Lazarus transactional model of stress cop- ing as the theoretical framework for the study. The researchers developed a questionnaire that addressed the frequency and type of verbal abuse directed at staff nurses by physicians as well as staff nurses’ cognitive appraisals and coping behaviors when they encountered this abuse.

The researchers mailed this questionnaire to a random sam- ple of 300 RNs who had classi- fied themselves as staff nurses. One hundred thirty question- naires were returned for a 43% response rate. The respondents primarily were female (ie, 94%), Caucasian (ie, 94%), and married (ie, 75%). They ranged in age from 24 to 73 years (mean age = 40 years). The majority of the respondents (ie, 62%) had nurs- ing diplomas or associate degrees in nursing, although 25% of the respondents had baccalaureates and 3% had master’s degrees. Most of the respondents (ie, 67%) were employed full-time, and they represented a variety of patient care settings and specialties.

The questionnaire was a 65- item self-report scale that defined 11 different forms of verbal abuse and elicited the frequency and perceived stressfulness of the various manifestations of verbal abuse. The questionnaire addressed both the identification of external stressors as well as responses to the remaining ele- ments of the Lazarus stress model (eg, cognitive appraisal, emotional reaction, coping efforts, perceived effectiveness of coping efforts in verbally abu- sive encounters).

Resulls. Ninety percent of the respondents reported having experienced at least one episode of verbal abuse during the previ- ous year. The average number of abusive incidents reported by the respondents ranged from six to 12. The most frequent types of verbal abuse were in the forms of abusive anger, being ignored, and condescension, and the respondents perceived them as mildly to moderately stressful.

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