Understanding Medical Disputes Through the Lens of Conflict Resolution

Abstract

The number of medical dispute cases has been increasing greatly for the past two decades in China and requires greater attention from society and the academic community. Through the lens of conflict study, this paper examines four conflict resolution theories and discusses how theories in the field of conflict resolution can work for helping manage medical disputes and improve the satisfaction of patients in practice. This article also suggests that the toolkit of doctors and nurses should be filled with more useful conflict resolution skills, so medical disputes can be better managed and de-escalate at an earlier stage. The paper provides scholars and doctors with a practical perspective and is valuable for studying medical disputes.