Conflict

Commonly, things are not as simple as one person clearly having a problem. Departments can break down into separate factions with groups of consultants barely speaking to members of the opposite faction. This is an untenable situation. It is impossible for juniors and nurses to work in such a situation. However, longstanding institutionalized conflict can be very hard to resolve. The important thing is to recognize the problem. It may be possible to arrive at an agreement that there is a problem. It may be possible to use internal skills to go some way towards a secession of hostilities. Commonly, if the problem is longstanding and intractable, external professional facilitation is needed. Ultimately, it may be better if there is some turnover of staff.

Remedial training

Behaviour and attitude lie at the bottom of most of the problems exhibited by doctors in difficulty. Very few problems arise because people forget the dose of amoxicillin, but many occur because doctors are rude to those around them. It is said that people are like an onion, with their true personality at the centre and their behaviour on the outside layers. It is not possible to change personality, but we can change behaviour.