After Harm: Medical Error and the Ethics of Forgiveness
by Nancy Berlinger
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University PressPages: 176
Hardcover
ISBN: 9780801881671
Overview of After Harm: Medical Error and the Ethics of Forgiveness
Medical error is a leading problem of health care in the United States. Each year, more patients die as a result of medical mistakes than are killed by motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS.
While most government and regulatory efforts are directed toward reducing and preventing errors, the actions that should follow the injury or death of a patient are still hotly debated. According to Nancy Berlinger, conversations on patient safety are missing several important components: religious voices, traditions, and models.
In After Harm, Berlinger draws on sources in theology, ethics, religion, and culture to create a practical and comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of patients, families, and clinicians affected by medical error. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging fallibility, telling the truth, confronting feelings of guilt and shame, and providing just compensation. After Harm adds important human dimensions to an issue that has profound consequences for patients and health care providers.
The Johns Hopkins University Press
Synopsis of After Harm: Medical Error and the Ethics of Forgiveness
In After Harm, Berlinger draws on sources in theology, ethics, religion, and culture to create a practical and comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of patients, families, and clinicians affected by medical error. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging fallibility, telling the truth, confronting feelings of guilt and shame, and providing just compensation. After Harm adds important human dimensions to an issue that has profound consequences for patients and health care providers.
Editorials
Christian Century
This is an important book that deserves to be read widely. Berlinger has done a signal service by writing it.â Stephen E. Lammers
Christian Science Monitor
Forgiveness on the part of an injured patient, or the family if the patient has died, comes as a result of both words and actions on the part of doctors and hospitals, says Nancy Berlinger in her thoughtful and well-researched book.â Gregory M. Lamb
Metapsychology
Certainly recommended reading.â Mark Welch, Ph.D.
Chicago Sun-Times
Thoughtful and well-researched.â Gregory M. Lamb
British Medical Journal
Provides a valuable counterbalance to innumerable calls for systemic reforms to reduce medical error.â Farr A. Curlin
Literature and Medicine
In an environment in which the aftermath of medical harm is characterized by adversarial relationships and self-protective maneuvering, Berlinger's proposals offer an alternative that ultimately better serves patients, families, clinicians, and health-care institutions. After Harm has much to offer students, educators, administrators, and policymakers.â Gregg VandeKieft
Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics
An accessible, thoughtful treatment of this sensitive topic, which carefully addresses the concerns of all parties affected by medical harm... This book should be read by anyone working within a healthcare institution.â Christine Vitrano
Journal of Religion and Health
A refreshing effort to connect error and forgiveness in a way that encourages the sort of debate the issue deserves.â Curtis W. Hart
Hastings Center Report
Presents an opportune and refreshing perspective on medical error.â Summer Johnson
Ethics and Medicine
I loved this book... It is a tight, tasty, spiritual and intellectual morsel.â Robert E. Cranston, MD, MA, FAAN
Provincial Health Ethics Network
The text in my view makes an important contribution to the understanding of the relationship between physician and patient in the face of medical error... The author states she hopes non-physician health care professionals will find her work of use, to that end she has succeeded.â Anne-Marie Brown
Literature and Medicine -
In an environment in which the aftermath of medical harm is characterized by adversarial relationships and self-protective maneuvering, Berlinger's proposals offer an alternative that ultimately better serves patients, families, clinicians, and health-care institutions. After Harm has much to offer students, educators, administrators, and policymakers.
Christian Science Monitor -
Thoughtful and well-researched.
Christian Century -
This is an important book that deserves to be read widely. Berlinger has done a signal service by writing it.
Metapsychology -
Certainly recommended reading.
British Medical Journal -
Provides a valuable counterbalance to innumerable calls for systemic reforms to reduce medical error.
Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics -
An accessible, thoughtful treatment of this sensitive topic, which carefully addresses the concerns of all parties affected by medical harm... This book should be read by anyone working within a healthcare institution.
Journal of Religion and Health -
A refreshing effort to connect error and forgiveness in a way that encourages the sort of debate the issue deserves.
Hastings Center Report -
Presents an opportune and refreshing perspective on medical error.
Provincial Health Ethics Network -
The text in my view makes an important contribution to the understanding of the relationship between physician and patient in the face of medical error... The author states she hopes non-physician health care professionals will find her work of use, to that end she has succeeded.
Ethics and Medicine -
I loved this book... It is a tight, tasty, spiritual and intellectual morsel.
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