RI law to allow doctors to apologize

[Wade8813]

Entertainment | Actor James Woods to testify on RI legislation | Seattle Times Newspaper

This is a good idea. I think it should be adopted everywhere. It can take a weight off doctors and make patients feel better - plus possibly reducing unnecessary malpractice suits is definitely good.

 

[Hilander]

I think that's a good idea. Sometimes people have a hard time letting something go without an apologia.

 

[Merc]

It sounds like the decent thing to do but some part of me is worried by this. To be honest, I'm really not sure why. I feel like an apology isn't going to fix anything so it's kind of meaningless but at the same time if it does help reduce malpractice suits, then I guess it's a positive for the hospital. Then again, doesn't the hospital deserve problems if its quality of care is bad?

 

[Wade8813]

It sounds like the decent thing to do but some part of me is worried by this. To be honest, I'm really not sure why. I feel like an apology isn't going to fix anything so it's kind of meaningless but at the same time if it does help reduce malpractice suits, then I guess it's a positive for the hospital. Then again, doesn't the hospital deserve problems if its quality of care is bad?

I agree. I kinda had the same nagging doubt.

I think the key here is that everything else is the same - they can still be sued - but they don't have to worry about the legal ramifications of making an apology.

 

[MainerMikeBrown]

I think it's a good idea. It's so frusterating to have a doctor make a mistake while treating you or a loved one and then have the doctor not admit fault just to save his or her own butt.