Scenario Type: Team Conflict and Communication

Healthcare teams are under constant pressure, and conflict is inevitable. SJT tests your ability to navigate disagreements, address underperformance, handle difficult supervisors, and communicate effectively within a team. The correct answers consistently value patient-centred resolution, direct communication, and professional escalation.

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The Principles of SJT Team Scenarios

Principle	What it means
Patient care comes first	Any team conflict must be resolved in the interest of the patient, not personal egos
Direct communication	The first step is usually to talk to the person directly, privately, and professionally
Escalation when needed	If direct communication fails or is inappropriate, escalate to a supervisor or senior
Respect for all roles	Every team member's contribution is valued, regardless of seniority
No gossip	Discussing concerns with uninvolved colleagues (rather than with the person or a supervisor) is unprofessional

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Scenario A: The Underperforming Colleague

The Setup

A colleague (often a fellow student or junior team member) is consistently failing to meet expected standards — arriving late, making errors, not completing tasks, or providing substandard care.

The Correct Approach

Step	Action
1	Speak to the colleague privately — express your concern, ask if they are OK, be specific about what you have observed
2	Offer support — they may be struggling with personal issues, workload, or health problems
3	If the behaviour continues, raise it with your shared supervisor
4	If patient care is at risk, the concern must be escalated regardless of personal feelings

Worked Scenario

Scenario: A fellow medical student on your placement has been arriving late and leaving early for the past two weeks. They have missed several patient interactions and their portfolio is incomplete. They seem withdrawn and unlike their usual self.

Action	Rating	Why
Speak to them privately, express concern for their wellbeing, and ask if there is anything wrong	Very appropriate	Compassionate, direct, and addresses the issue at the human level
Report them to the medical school immediately	Inappropriate, but not awful	Jumps over the direct approach; may be necessary later, but not the ideal first step
Cover for them by signing them in as present when they are late	Very inappropriate	Dishonest; enables the problem; could put future patients at risk
Tell other students that they are not pulling their weight	Inappropriate, but not awful	Gossip does not solve the problem and damages the colleague's reputation
If your conversation does not lead to improvement, suggest they speak to their personal tutor or pastoral support	Very appropriate	Constructive escalation that supports the colleague

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Scenario B: The Dismissive Supervisor

The Setup

A supervisor (consultant, registrar, or senior nurse) dismisses your concerns, ignores your input, or does not take you seriously because you are a student.

The Correct Approach

Step	Action
1	Restate your concern clearly using evidence and facts
2	If dismissed again, escalate to another senior colleague
3	If the dismissiveness is a pattern, raise it with your medical school or educational supervisor
4	If patient safety is at immediate risk, do not accept dismissal — escalate immediately

Worked Scenario

Scenario: You raise a concern with the registrar about a patient's medication. The registrar responds: "You are just a student. Focus on learning and leave the prescribing to the qualified staff."

Action	Rating	Why
Calmly explain that you believe the concern is valid and ask if it could at least be checked	Very appropriate	Persistent, professional, and focused on patient safety
Accept the registrar's response and say nothing further	Inappropriate, but not awful	Defers to hierarchy at the expense of potential patient safety
Approach the consultant or another senior doctor and explain your concern	Very appropriate	Appropriate escalation after being dismissed
Argue with the registrar publicly on the ward	Inappropriate, but not awful	The concern is valid but the approach is unprofessional
Document the interaction and your concern in case the issue arises later	Appropriate, but not ideal	Good practice but should not replace active escalation

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Scenario C: Team Disagreement About Patient Care

The Setup

Two or more members of the clinical team disagree about the best course of action for a patient. The disagreement may be professional (clinical judgement) or personal (interpersonal conflict).

The Correct Approach