Hot Topics in Practice

Dispute Resolution Principles and Tactics

Because much of a health department’s work involves public funds, land, and services, decision-making in this arena can be politically contentious. Managers are often required to facilitate community advisory meetings and work with boards and commissioners, as well as mitigate personnel issues such as union negotiations and staff disputes. Frontline staff interfaces daily with clients through home visits and clinic services. These efforts to "enforce laws, develop policies, and mobilize community partnerships" are essential public health services and thus require practitioners to hone their dispute resolution skills.

In the February Hot Topics, Jim Reid, MPA, presents a framework for collaborative negotiations and discusses how to reduce conflict and create agreements that meet the mutual needs of all parties. He will offer case examples where these techniques have been used successfully.

These monthly Web-conferencing events, sponsored by the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, provide an authoritative hour-long forum for discussing topics that are important to the public health practice community and the tribal health units in the six Northwest states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.