Medical Errors, Apologies And Apology Laws

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Editorial

Apologizing for medical errors is both ethically and professionally responsible and also crucial for improving patient safety and quality of care, write Dr. Noni MacDonald and Dr. Amir Attaran and the CMJA editorial team.

They point out that an apology can have significant healing effects for the patient, family and physician.

However, Canada lacks apology laws in every jurisdiction and these provinces and territories should be pressed to enact these laws. Early settlement or no fault compensation needs to be considered.

"Medical errors, apologies and apology laws"
Noni MacDonald, MD MSc* and Amir Attaran, LLB DPhil
CMAJ • January 6, 2009; 180 (1). doi:10.1503/cmaj.081997
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Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ)
http://www.cmaj.ca