Looking for More Information about Disclosure and Apologies for Medical Errors?
Here's an ACPE Tool Kit of resources that provide more information about full disclosure and apologies for medical mistakes.
Video Resource
Removing Insult from Injury: Disclosing Adverse Events.
Johns Hopkins University is offering a 25-minute training video on DVD. Features doctors talking with patients to illustrate the best methods for disclosing medical errors.
Discussing Unanticipated Outcomes and Disclosing Medical Errors
The video was written and directed by Dr. John Banja, an Associate Professor at Emory University's Center for Ethics, and funded through a grant awarded to the Georgia Hospital Association by AHRQ.
Audio Resource
Prescription for doctors: Admit mistakes
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Physicians at Harvard's teaching hospitals have a new specialty to learn -- how to apologize. Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon at Harvard Medical School, says it's the right thing to do.
Website
Sorry Works!
Articles
The Physician Executive series on apologies: March/April 2006, Vol. 32, No. 2
Who’s Sorry Now?
by David Weber
Physicians and patients responding to two national surveys say apologizing for medical errors should be commonplace—and shouldn’t be done just to avoid lawsuits.
Full Disclosure and Apology—An Idea Whose Time has Come
by Lucian L. Leape, MD
Noted Harvard health policy professor, Lucian Leape, MD, argues the case for full disclosure and apologies. And he says patients shouldn’t have to sue to receive remuneration.
Lawyers Say ‘Sorry’ May Sink You in Court
by Lola Butcher
While patients and physicians seem to wholeheartedly support apologies for medical errors, health care lawyers warn that an apology could be held up as an admission of guilt.
Other Resources
AHA Caring for Communities Program
Trust Counts project report
AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs
"E-8.12 Patient Information", Code of Medical Ethics: Current Ethical Opinions
Chicago: American Medical Association, June 1994
The Art of Apology: When and How to Seek Forgiveness
by Richard G. Roberts, MD, JD, FAAFP
Article from Family Practice Management magazine
Bibliography on Apologies and Disclosure
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Can Apologizing Avoid Malpractice Suits?
The Associated Press
MSNBC
Disclosure Of Medical Errors Is Honesty The Best Policy Legally?
by Ken Braxton and Kip Poe, Stewart Stimmel LLP, Dallas, TX
Article from the American Bar Association
Effects of Medical Error Disclosure & Apology
by Christopher Guadagnino, Ph.D.
Physicians New's Digest
Ethical Considerations in Policy Development
by Nancy Berlinger, PhD, MDiv
Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare
Federal Bill Would Promote Apology after Medical Errors
by Fred Gebhart
Drug Topics
Medical Error Disclosure, Mediation Skills, and Malpractice Litigation
by Carol B. Liebman and Chris Stern Hyman
Medical Liability in Pennsylvania
Top Medical Malpractice Risk Areas
by James W. Saxton, Esq. & Maggie M. Finkelstein, Esq.
Physicians New's Digest
What to Say if you Made a Mistake
by Mark Crane
Medical Economics
You Might Want to Sit Down
Health Leaders Media
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