Abstract

Background: Conflict in interpersonal relationships is strongly tied with emotional affectedness, and emotional changes are associated with conflict. An effective response to conflicts requires experience in conflict resolution. Based on game theory, the authors devised a card game as an educational and training intervention to provide conflict experience. This study aimed to create a prototype of a card game effective for practicing conflict resolution between nurses and patients and discovering beneficial solutions during conflict between the two parties.
Methods/Results: From the existing 144 conflict scenarios, 60 were extracted and analyzed from the perspective of patient reactions. Four core categories were thus created: “Furious,” “Dissatisfied,” “Disappointed,” and “Other.” The “Other” category comprised the following subcategories- “Responsible party,” “Distrust,” “Personal information,” “Difference in sensibility,” “Dissatisfaction,” and “Self-determination.” The authors thus developed an intriguing card game that they have named “Conflict: Between Nurses and Patients.”
Conclusion: The card game is expected to provide beneficial solutions for both nurses and patients as well as the basis for trainee nurses and patients to express their emotions in face-to-face encounters. The nurse-patient card game can be used in intervention research. As the card game is based on data from clinical experiences of nurses and counselors, it will contribute to the development of communication among nurses. It will also enhance the conflict-resolution ability of both nurses and patients.