Document Detail


Apologizing for humiliations in medical practice.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21467056     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Apologizing to patients and their families for medical mistakes is an increasingly accepted practice. Overlooked is the need to apologize to other members of the treatment team or patients for humiliations inflicted in medical practice, independent of medical mistakes. A humiliated treatment team member or patient is apt to undermine optimal care, particularly when teamwork or patient adherence to treatment is required. This article describes the psychology of humiliation and the history of humiliation in medical practice, including why doctors and patients are vulnerable to being humiliated. Several humiliation narratives are presented. This article presents empirical data based on a sample of 355 subjects that analyze what the offended party seeks in an apology and the magnitude of the importance of each of these desires. The restoration of dignity in response to humiliation emerges as one of the most important functions of apologies. Finally, this article identifies 15 healing forces of apology, a combination of which is necessary for healing any given offense. The final challenge is educating individuals as to how to apply these findings to healing after a humiliating offense.
Authors:
Aaron Lazare; Roselle Sherman Levy
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Chest     Volume:  139     ISSN:  1931-3543     ISO Abbreviation:  Chest     Publication Date:  2011 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-04-06     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0231335     Medline TA:  Chest     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  746-51     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave N, Worcester, MA 02155. aaron.lazare@umassmed.edu.
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