Understanding Psychological Strategies to Manage Embarrassment in Clinical Practice
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By
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Donald A. Redelmeier
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Jada Roach
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September 12, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Understanding Psychological Strategies to Manage Embarrassment in Clinical Practice
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Embarrassment |
| Key Mechanisms | Emotional tension between concern about others’ thoughts and self-image. |
| Target Population | Clinicians and healthcare professionals. |
| Care Setting | Clinical practice. |
Key Highlights
- Embarrassment is a normal emotion that develops before adolescence.
- Common reactions to embarrassment include silence, excuses, and humor.
- Clinicians often overestimate how much others notice their mistakes.
- Embarrassment can be understood as a nuisance rather than a catastrophe.
- Developing a relationship with a trusted colleague can help manage workplace embarrassments.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Recognize embarrassment as a common emotional response in clinical settings.
Management
- Encourage clinicians to view embarrassing events as minor nuisances.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Observe clinicians' reactions to embarrassing situations to provide support.
Risks
- Failure to address embarrassment may lead to professional burnout.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Not applicable as the article focuses on clinicians.
Understanding embarrassment can improve clinician-patient interactions.
Clinical Best Practices
- Encourage clinicians to laugh off minor mistakes.
- Promote open discussions about embarrassment among colleagues.
- Foster an environment where embarrassment is normalized and addressed.
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