Understanding the Question

When an interviewer asks, "How do you deal with conflicts within the workplace, especially in a multidisciplinary team?" they are seeking insight into your interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and how you collaborate with professionals from various disciplines. Occupational Therapists (OTs) often work in environments where collaboration with a range of healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and doctors, is essential. Given the diverse perspectives and approaches within such teams, conflicts can naturally arise. Demonstrating your capability to navigate these situations professionally and constructively is crucial.

Interviewer's Goals

The interviewer's primary goals with this question are to assess:

1. Conflict Resolution Skills: Your ability to identify, address, and resolve disagreements or conflicts in a way that is constructive and does not compromise patient care.
2. Communication Skills: How effectively you communicate your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions to team members from different professional backgrounds.
3. Teamwork and Collaboration: Your willingness and ability to work cooperatively within a multidisciplinary team, respecting others' opinions, and finding common ground.
4. Professionalism: Your maturity and professionalism in handling potentially stressful or challenging situations without letting them negatively impact the work environment or patient outcomes.

How to Approach Your Answer

When formulating your response, consider a structured approach that highlights your skills and experiences relevant to the question. A good strategy is to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer, providing a concrete example that illustrates your ability to effectively manage workplace conflicts. Be sure to:

• Identify a specific situation where you encountered a conflict in a multidisciplinary team setting.
• Explain the task or goal that was being affected by the conflict.
• Describe the actions you took to address or resolve the conflict, emphasizing communication, collaboration, and professional behavior.
• Share the result of your actions, focusing on positive outcomes such as improved team dynamics, better patient care, or enhanced team efficiency.

Example Responses Relevant to Occupational Therapist

Here are two example responses that utilize the STAR method:

Example 1:

"In a recent position, (Situation) our multidisciplinary team was designing a rehabilitation plan for a patient with complex needs. (Task) However, there was a disagreement between the physical therapist and me regarding the patient’s mobility goals. (Action) I suggested we hold a meeting to discuss our perspectives, ensuring we each had time to present our assessments and reasoning. I also proposed we consult the latest research and guidelines related to the patient's condition. Through this process, (Result) we were able to merge our approaches into a more comprehensive plan that addressed the patient's needs holistically, leading to a significant improvement in their rehabilitation progress."

Example 2:

"(Situation) At one point, a disagreement arose with a nursing staff member over the scheduling of therapy sessions, which was affecting patient care. (Task) It was crucial to resolve this to maintain the treatment schedule. (Action) I initiated a conversation to understand their concerns and explained the importance of the therapy timing from a clinical perspective. Together, we reviewed the entire schedule and made adjustments that accommodated both our needs and improved the workflow. (Result) This not only resolved the conflict but also strengthened our working relationship and improved interdisciplinary communication."

Tips for Success

• Be Specific: Provide a detailed example that showcases your conflict resolution skills.
• Focus on Positive Outcomes: Emphasize how the conflict led to a better understanding, improved processes, or enhanced patient care.
• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your answer reflects critical skills such as empathy, active listening, negotiation, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Reflect on Learning: Mention any insights or lessons learned from the experience that have helped you handle similar situations more effectively since then.
• Avoid Blame: Frame your response in a way that does not criticize team members or portray them negatively, focusing instead on the situation and your actions.

By preparing your response with these guidelines in mind, you'll demonstrate to the interviewer that you are a collaborative, professional, and effective Occupational Therapist capable of contributing positively to their multidisciplinary team.