Ground-Breaking Book Explores Role of ''Medical Narcissism'' in Concealing Medical Errors.

SUDBURY, Mass. -- Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism by John Banja, PhD, Examines the Legal, Psychological and Ethical Dimensions of Medical Errors on Patients and Health Professionals

Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Inc. is pleased to announce December 15, 2004 as the publication date of Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism by John Banja, PhD. The book, unlike any resource currently available, 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.

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 professional's need to preserve his or her self-esteem at the cost of the patient's right to the truth. It delves deeply into the psyche of health professionals, discussing how a harm-causing error can assault the professional's sense of competency, adequacy, and authority.

"Disclosing a harm-causing medical error can be one of the most anguishing conversations a healthcare professional can have," said Banja. "My goal in writing this book was to provide insight not only into why disclosure is so difficult but also how error concealment can be infuriating for the victim."

In addition to exploring the effects of medical errors on patients and physicians, Medical Errors and Medical Narcissism also provides guidance on disclosing errors in an empathic and ethical manner. A benefit of such communications is their reducing malpractice costs associated with harm-causing error.

Visit www.jbpub.com for more information on the book.

Media inquiries, contact Ed McKenna, at [e-mail], 978.579.8139.

About John Banja

John Banja is a clinical ethicist at the Center For Ethics in Public Policy and the Professions at Emory University and an associate professor of rehabilitation medicine. He received a doctorate degree in philosophy from Fordham University in New York and maintains a specialty interest in moral issues associated with catastrophic neurological impairment. He teaches medical ethics at Emory and has authored or coauthored over 130 publications, including the entry "Rehabilitation Medicine" which appears in the most recent edition of the Encyclopedia of Bioethics. Banja has delivered over 600 invited lectures at regional, national, and international conferences and has appeared numerous times on television, radio and in the popular press.