Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism

Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism examines the concept of medical narcissism and how error disclosure to patients and families is often compromised by the health professionals need to preserve his or her self-esteem at the cost of honoring the patients right to the unvarnished truth about what has happened. This groundbreaking book explores common psychological reactions of healthcare professionals to the commission of a serious harm-causing error and the variety of obstacles that can compromise ethically sound, truthful disclosure.This groundbreaking book explores common psychological reactions of healthcare professionals to the commission of a serious harm-causing error and the variety of obstacles that can compromise ethically sound, truthful disclosure. Insights are offered on how talented, capable persons who feel a driving need to demonstrate their competence can fall into narcissistic traps. Guidance on disclosing errors artfully and ethically is provided through a series of step-by-step recommendations along with a list of particularly helpful words and phrases.This book explores a variety of obstacles that can compromise ethically sound, truthful disclosures of error. It offers numerous observations on tort reform measures and on organizational strategies that can encourage a greater ‘moral atmosphere’ in our hospitals and clinics resulting in improved, patient-centered communications. Readers will find numerous recommendations as to what words to use in disclosing errors artfully as well as ethically. But even more, this book is a sustained examination of how talented, capable persons who feel a driving need to demonstrate their competence and be respected can fall into narcissistic traps.