Power and Conflict Between Doctors and Nurses: Breaking Through the Inner Circle in Clinical Care

Through observations in three intensive care units, this book draws on the reality of practice to explore how nurses and doctors work in intensive care settings. It examines:

· the power held by the competing knowledge bases
· the roles of the different professions
· the decision-making process
· the sources of conflict
· the need for change.

Drawing together sociological theories and clinical practice, Power and Conflict Between Doctors and Nurses explores the role of nurses in delivering contemporary health care. It makes a strong case for interdisciplinary working and is particularly timely when health care policy is challenging work boundaries in health care.

Maureen A. Coombs has held senior posts in coronary care, cardiothoracic and general intensive care. She is currently Consultant Nurse Critical Care at Southampton University Hospital Trust and holds a Senior Lecturer post with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Southampton University. She has undertaken work in both policy and research with the Department of Health and professional associations towards the delivery of a contemporary critical care clinical service.