Contributions of interpersonal conflict management on performance of government hospitals in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the place of interpersonal conflict management on performance of government hospitals in Nigeria and specifically. The purpose is to ascertain how collaborative approach of interpersonal conflict management affect mortality rates reduction in government hospitals and investigate if avoidance technique in conflict management improves the working relationships in the government hospital within Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design and was conducted in National Hospital Abuja, and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study population is 1629, which includes all health professionals employed in selected public- owned teaching hospitals. A sample size of 312 was drawn from the population. The study used descriptive statistics (frequency, charts, tables and simple percentage) to calculate, analyse, show or summarize responses to the research questions. The hypotheses were tested using ordinal logistic regression. Findings showed that collaborative approach has significantly contributed in reducing mortality rates in government hospitals in Nigeria, and avoidance as a means of interpersonal conflict management helped improve the working relations of selected government hospital staff in Nigeria. The study recommended that they should be improved communication, and collaboration between management, clerks, nurses, doctors and workers representatives in running the affairs of the hospitals. Again, conflicting tendencies should always be avoided by workers for more efficient, peaceful, coordinated and minimal conflicts in working environment within the healthcare industry.