In Support of the Medical Apology: The Nonlegal Arguments.
BACKGROUND
More than 30 million people are affected annually by medical errors. Apologies can heal patients, families, and providers and, if deployed and structured appropriately, can enrich clinical encounters-yet they rarely occur.


OBJECTIVE
This article will address the nonlegal arguments in favor of the medical apology and discuss a structure for delivering a meaningful apology. In addition, we will review reasons why some providers feel compelled to apologize while others faced with similar circumstances do not.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical apologies bring value to both patients and providers. Apologies can preserve therapeutic relationships and save careers for professionals by restoring their self-respect and dignity. The four R's of the ideal apology-recognition, responsibility, regret, and remedy-provide a framework to help providers apologize for unintended outcomes. When deployed and structured appropriately, apologies can heal patients, families, and providers and can enrich clinical encounters.


CONCLUSIONS
For providers, forgiving one's self is key to professional wellbeing and continued effective practice. For patients, apologies are desirable and also serve as a conduit for often wanted emotional support from their physician.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Heather A
HA
Heaton
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Ronna L
RL
Campbell
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.
Kristine M
KM
Thompson
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Annie T
AT
Sadosty
D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
emergency; medical apology; medical error