Conflict in Systems of Care (SOC) for Children and Adolescents

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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

4054.0: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 9:00 AM

Abstract #151656

Conflict in Systems of Care (SOC) for Children and Adolescents

Mary E. Evans, RN, PhD, FAAN, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, (813) 974-9112, mevans@hsc.usf.edu, Roger A. Boothroyd, PhD, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 2719, Tampa, FL 33612, and Huey Jen Chen, PhD, ARNP, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612.

SOCs require effective partnerships among service sectors with different missions and mandates. Consequently, conflict may occur. The purpose of our study was to determine the presence, nature and resolution of conflicts within federally funded SOC sites. Web and mail surveys yielded 208 responses from 43 sites. Major sources of conflict noted by at least 70% of respondents were: incompatible goals, scarce resources, overlapping authority, communication, decision making, relationships, and issues specifically related to the goals of SOC. Two-thirds of the respondents noted that signs of conflict were manifest during meetings of the governing board. The most common resolution strategies were: not acknowledging conflict, behind the scenes dealing, and developing strategies to address the conflict. To obtain a better understanding of conflict and its resolution, we are currently conducting concept mapping exercises in three sites. The resulting maps will be completed before the end of summer and discussed at our presentation.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the most common sources of conflict in systems of care and their resolution.
Articulate the differences in site concept maps

Related Web page: newsite,FMHI.usf.edu/content/mediation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Organization and Financing of Mental Health Care

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA