Power of Communications #1: Navigating Conflict and Communication Issues with Teams and Partners in Rural Settings (On Demand-No CE)

PLEASE NOTE: No CE or certificate are available in this free version of the course. 

If you are seeking CE or a certificate of completion, you will need to enroll in the paid CE version: https://phprepared.catalog.instructure.com/courses/poc1a0226ce

This recorded training is part 1 of a 4-part series on rural health communications. This first session is about navigating conflict and communication issues with teams and partners. Rural health professionals navigate unique communication challenges: dual relationships, limited resources, and small teams where conflicts can't be avoided. This interactive session introduces the BRIDGE Framework Method™—a practical approach to navigating conflict with colleagues, community partners, and patients. Participants will learn strategies for building trust in interconnected communities, addressing difficult topics like scope of practice and resource allocation, and protecting their wellbeing in isolated work environments. Through case studies and exercises, attendees develop skills for handling conflict without damaging the critical relationships that sustain rural healthcare. Grounded in research and rural health realities.

This training was originally held on February 26, 2026.

Note on Accessibility: This training includes closed captions, ASL interpretation, a written transcript, and a copy of the slides. 

Audience

Public health professionals in all settings, including governmental public health, non-profits, health systems, etc. as well as across disciplines, whether health education, nursing, environmental health, leadership, etc.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the unique communication challenges present in rural health settings, including limited resources, small teams, dual relationships, and geographic isolation
• Apply the BRIDGE Framework Method™ (Building Trust, Recognizing Context, Initiating Conversations, Describing Impact, Gauging Understanding, Exploring Solutions) to navigate conflict with colleagues, community partners, and patients in rural settings
• Describe how power dynamics, resource constraints, and community relationships shape communication effectiveness in rural health contexts
• Discuss strategies for building trust and psychological safety within small, interconnected rural healthcare teams where confidentiality and dual relationships complicate traditional conflict resolution approaches
• Recognize the importance of their own communication patterns under stress and self-care strategies to prevent burnout when navigating ongoing interpersonal challenges

Instructor

• Malynnda Stewart, PhD, BCPA, CEO, Conflict Mediation Consultant, Patient Advocate, Health Communication Educator, Compassionate Navigation, LLC

Sponsors

Public Health Prepared is the workforce development and public health practice branch of the broader Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats & Pandemic Preparedness (MCIDT) initiative, funded by the University of Michigan. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Public Health Prepared, MCIDT, or the University of Michigan.

This event is co-sponsored by the Region V Public Health Training Center.

The Region V Public Health Training Center is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31684 Public Health Training Centers ($940,000). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Region V PHTC, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.Technical Information

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Contact us at PHPrepared@umich.edu with questions.