Psychiatric consultation as conflict resolution

Interpersonal conflict between patient and physician is a frequent concomitant of the complex issues arising from medical or surgical illness and hospitalization. It is an often unacknowledged stimulus for seeking psychiatric consultation. Consultation may be sought to assist in resolving conflicts over problem definition, the treatment contract, or the patient-physician relationship per se. An understanding of potential sources and manifestations of conflict guides effective intervention by the consultant. The integration of concepts of conflict and conflict resolution with existing models of consultation-liaison and practice is illustrated in several case discussion.