Rationale:Many sources of conflict exist in intensive care units (ICUs).
Few studies recorded the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors
for conflicts in ICUs.
Objectives: To record the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors
for conflicts in ICUs.
Methods: One-day cross-sectional survey of ICU clinicians. Data on
perceived conflicts in the week before the survey day were obtained
from 7,498 ICU staff members (323 ICUs in 24 countries).
Measurements and Main Results: Conflicts were perceived by 5,268
(71.6%) respondents. Nurse–physician conflicts were the most
common (32.6%), followed by conflicts among nurses (27.3%) and
staff-relative conflicts (26.6%). The most common conflict-causing
behaviors were personal animosity, mistrust, and communication
gaps. During end-of-life care, the main sources of perceived conflict
were lack of psychological support, absence of staff meetings, and
problems with the decision-making process. Conflicts perceived as
severe were reported by 3,974 (53%) respondents. Job strain was
significantly associated with perceiving conflicts and with greater
severity of perceived conflicts. Multivariate analysis identified 15
factors associated with perceived conflicts, of which 6 were potential
targets for future intervention: staff working more than 40 h/wk,