Medical narcissism

Medical narcissism is a term coined by John Banja in his book, Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism.[1][2]

Banja defines "medical narcissism" as the need of health professionals to preserve their self-esteem leading to the compromise of error disclosure to patients.

In the book he explores the psychological, ethical and legal effects of medical errors and the extent to which a need to constantly assert their competence can cause otherwise capable, and even exceptional, professionals to fall into narcissistic traps.

He claims that:

...most health professionals (in fact, most professionals of any ilk) work on cultivating a self that exudes authority, control, knowledge, competence and respectability. It's the narcissist in us all—we dread appearing stupid or incompetent.

References

  1. Banja, John, Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism, 2005
  2. Banja, John, (as observed by Eric Rangus) John Banja: Interview with the clinical ethicist
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