Commentary: Systems, sensitivity, and "sorry".
This commentary first addresses the moral atmosphere necessary for a systems view of adverse outcomes and discusses the theory of accidents. Patients suffering adverse outcomes are described as needing acknowledgment, remorse, and remedy. Apologizing and informing patients or families about what actually happened are important risk management approaches.
Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. gutheiltg@cs.com
Thomas G
TG
Gutheil
D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors; D011570:Psychiatry; D012308:Risk Management; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States