Nurses play an important role in recognising and addressing conflict in palliative care
Many patients and families are under significant strain. Clear communication can provide reassurance and guidance. This can help improve quality of life while they are approaching death and help them make decisions on complex matters.
Good communication can avoid confusion or misunderstanding and guide realistic expectations. This ultimately improves the quality of care.
However, conflict can occur between:
- patients and their family
- patients and clinicians
- family members, especially when the patient cannot speak for themself
- between relatives and clinicians.
Related Resources
- palliAGED Evidence Summary – Communication
- palliAGED Improving Care – Communication
This may occur when there is disagreement about the most appropriate management plan or whether a person’s expectations of care are being met.
Conflict can arise within a care team when:
- there is disagreement or perceived disagreement on role or responsibility
- there is disagreement on goals of care, priorities of care or chosen option of care
- a clinical observation or recommendation is not heeded by other members of the team
- there is lack of information sharing in planning and coordination of care.
In any situation, conflict can arise from:
- misunderstandings, poor communication, or a breakdown in communication
- different understandings of the disease process and the goals of care
- a person’s perceived role or responsibility
- a mismatch between the expected type and level of care and the care provided/received
- a lack of shared understanding of the dying process or where the patient is in this process
- feeling unprepared for deterioration and death
- perceived lack of support or a sense of being overwhelmed
- cultural and language differences that affect understandings and perceived norms
- uncertainty as to who is coordinating care.
Communication tips
Identify and recognise the disagreement or conflict as early as possible and make other members of the care team aware if it is likely to affect the person’s care.
Verbal cues:
- You might suspect or notice a person’s irritation or anger in what they say or their tone of voice.
- A person may clearly express anger, dissatisfaction, frustration.
Non-verbal cues:
- You might notice body language like eye-rolling, a sideways glance or a person withdrawing from interactions.
- A person may stiffen or tense in the presence of a certain person or people.
What you can do
Dealing with conflict resources
Last updated 22 May 2026