Most nurses and physicians are aware of the problems that still exist between the two groups—but did you know the extent? A new December 2009 report by the American College of Physician Executives found that the tension between nurses and physicians is pervasive and affects patient care for the worse.

More than 2,100 nurses and physicians participated in the survey–67% were nurses and 33% were physicians. Almost all respondents said they had witnessed behavior problems from either group in the first year. The most common complaint was degrading comments, the second most common was yelling. The survey found that physicians made up the majority of culprits for these types of behavior problems, while participants for the study said nurses often spread rumors and engage in “backbiting” and disputes with other nurses.

The behavior adversely affected patients—including one recovering from surgery whose condition was declining. After being repeatedly yelled at by the physician, the patient’s nurse refused to call the doctor a third time. The patient had to be rushed to surgery after hemorrhaging and later died.

The report also noted that participants felt physicians were less harshly penalized for bad behavior than nurses. Participants also said that nurses are too quick to try to penalize physicians.

Participants said the most effective solution was education—starting in nursing or medical school—about physician-nurse relations. One participant who went through a program in which medical students had to shadow a nurse said the program was extremely helpful for the medical student to get a full picture of a nurse’s role.

The report also includes an interesting case study at Pennsylvania Hospital about improving physician-nurse relations, which would in turn improve patient outcomes.