Doctors are understandably reluctant to apologize for medical mistakes. On the one hand, there's the simple human fear of looking bad. Then add the fear of having your apology used against you in court, and doctors are almost forced to clam up. However, of late a growing number of states are considering laws which would protect physicians from facing malpractice liability just for apologizing for bad outcomes. Some hospitals, like the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, have begun to take the lead in such disclosures, creating comprehensive programs aimed at admitting and fixing errors.
Such legal changes, as well as shifts in the climate of medicine fostered by the quality and transparency movements, are slowly beginning to work changes in the culture of medicine, which had previously emphasized secrecy. Trade groups like the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum now recommend all hospitals disclose serious negative outcomes. Other hospitals, including VA facilities and hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School, ask staff not only to tell patients about mistakes and apologize, but also explain how they plan to address such problems in the future.
To learn more about this trend:
- read this piece from The Chicago Tribune
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