Diagnosing conflict: Conflicting data, interpersonal conflict, and conflicts of interest in clinical competency committees

Clinical competency committees (CCCs) are increasingly used within health professions education as their decisions are thought to be more defensible and fairer than those generated by previous training promotion processes. However, as with most group-based processes, it is inevitable that conflict will arise. In this paper the authors explore three ways conflict may arise within a CCC: (1) conflicting data submissions that are presented to the committee, (2) conflicts between members of the committee, and (3) conflicts of interest between a specific committee member and a trainee. The authors describe each of these conflict situations, dissect out the underlying problems, and explore possible solutions based on the current literature.

Automated summary

CCCs are increasingly used in health professions education, but conflicts are inevitable. Conflicts may arise from conflicting data submissions, conflicts between committee members, and conflicts of interest between specific committee members and trainees. The authors describe these conflict situations and explore potential solutions based on current literature.