Shame and medicine

Shame is a common, yet poorly understood, component of the doctor-patient relationship, potentially affecting patients’ trust and health outcomes. It is a pivotal force in many aspects of patient care and in the emotional dimension of clinicians' practice. Despite its obvious importance, there has been almost no sustained or cohesive theoretical reflection on the role that shame plays within healthcare. 

This research aims to shed light on the dynamics of shame in medicine through three academic workshops, and to explore the affective contexts of shame through creative arts practice and public engagement.