The Power of an Apology in Medical Errors Essay

The Power of an Apology in Medical Errors - Essay ExampleUnfortunately, when doctors make mistakes during treatment, the consequences can be severe. Sometimes, they can even result in serious injury or even death.In new-made years, health care providers have become cautious to the highest degree offering expressions of empathy or sympathy to longanimouss whose disease did not have a successful outcome. These unsuccessful outcomes whitethorn be the result of known complications, plunder errors, or other circumstances. The health care providers caution in this area of communicating is the result of the increase number of lawsuits filed against them by their uncomplainings.Physicians understandably have a difficult time determining appropriate communication techniques to convey concern for the patient without inadvertently implying their own fault or guilt. It is not unusual for a physicians compassionate and empathetic actions to be misunderstood and later described to a jury as a n vindication for his error.Unquestionably, there are situations in which clear errors have been committed. Although rare, those events should certainly be followed with a sincere apologia and appropriate assistance to the patient. In situations where the physician is not at fault for the undesired outcome, or when righteousness is difficult to determine prior to an investigation, it is still important for physicians to have the skills necessary to express empathy and concern without suggesting to the patient that they bear legal responsibility. Recent studies have suggested that failing to apologize for clear errors whitethorn prompt more claims than previously suspected. Research suggests that apology plays an important role in professional relationships. If done properly, an apology may not even be an issue in a subsequently filed lawsuit. Additionally, it is just common experience that demonstrating empathy and concern for patients during their around difficult times is th e right thing to do. If lawsuits are subsequently filed in much(prenominal) situations, physicians will be seen in a much more favorable light if they have attempt to show appropriate concern and interest in their patients well being.Many physicians are wondering about the purpose of expressing their remorse to a patient over a bad outcome or intractable incident. Indeed, there are large moral as well as ethical components to this issue. Doctors are overly human, and every human has the need to convince themselves that at the end of the day, they did what was morally right. The human conscience may not give the physician in question a peace of mind if they fail to vigilance the inner voice that wants them to express their tangings of concern. This may apply not only to cases of malpractice where the patient is severely hurt or even death occurred, but also in cases where there are not visual consequences. When an apology is truly warranted, accepting and expressing responsib ility by the physicians for his or her mistakes is the first step to forgiving themselves and is the most likely way to maintain a good relationship with your patient.Demonstrating true sadness of the physician to the patient for his pain will help him and will strengthen the bond between physician and the patient. It is important for patients to feel that doctors care about them. Patients who have good relationships with their