IPEC Domain/Competency 

Communication

Sub-Competencies

C2. Use communication tools, techniques, and technologies to enhance team function, well-being, and outcomes.

C6. Use constructive feedback to connect, align, and accomplish team goals.

TT5. Apply interprofessional and interdisciplinary conflict management methods, including identifying conflict cause and addressing divergent perspectives.

Goals and objectives

Following this activity students will be able to

• Describe the DESC framework and its role in managing conflict constructively.
• Apply the DESC framework to address disagreements in a respectful and professional manner.
• Practice providing constructive feedback while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Demonstrate communication strategies that promote mutual understanding and resolution of differing perspectives.
• Reflect on the impact of communication, power dynamics, and conflict management on team functioning and collaboration.

Materials

• Communicating through conflict scenarios for interdisciplinary and interprofessional contexts (MSWord)

Instructions

Introduce the DESC framework and demonstrate how to use it on one example of conflict situation.  Next, students pair up and using the scenarios in the handout practice DESC framework to address the conflict situation. Learning process can be scaffolded by asking students to write the response first, then engage in a role-play. Students can also practice in triads where the third group member is an observer and can provide assistance and/or feedback to the fellow learners.

The DESC framework is a structured approach to addressing concerns respectfully and professionally.

• D – Describe: State the situation objectively, without blame
• E – Express: Share concerns or feelings
• S – Specify: Identify what you would like to see happen differently
• C – Consequences: Explain the positive outcomes of the change

Debrief Questions:

1. What professional or ethical responsibilities do team members have when witnessing poor communication?
2. What aspects of the DESC framework were most helpful in addressing the conflict scenario?
3. What felt most challenging about speaking up in this situation?
4. How did the DESC framework support respectful interprofessional or interdisciplinary communication?
5. How might differences in roles, expertise, power, or perspectives contribute to conflict within interdisciplinary or interprofessional teams?
6. How can you apply the DESC framework and other conflict management strategies in future team interactions?

Closing Reflection

What is one communication skill you would like to strengthen to better navigate conflict in collaborative settings?

References

Center for Health Innovation (2026, July). TeamSTEPPS Video Toolkit. American Hospital Association. https://www.aha.org/center/project-firstline/teamstepps-video-toolkit/desc

Created by: Vesna Hart
Suggested Citation: CHBS IPE and IDE Council. (2026). Communicating through Conflict. CHBS IPE & IDE Instructional Toolkit. James Madison University.