The Art of the Deal: Negotiating Consult Conflict

“Calling a consult,” where one specialty asks another for clinical guidance, is a cornerstone in clinical medicine. Although most consults are synergistic and collaborative, some lack harmony and are characterized by disagreement over the best path forward to address a patient’s health concern or issue. Clinicians often struggle with the resulting conflict because of the threat to professional relationships, the need to maintain clinical efficiency, and unspoken hierarchies. When conflict is ignored or mismanaged it can lead to animosity between colleagues, inter-specialty acrimony, and poor patient outcomes.