apology as legal aid
I’ve previously posted on the role of apology in preventing and resolving legal disputes. This article looks at the subject from a slightly different angle. It discusses the medical world’s recent discovery that, “when combined with an upfront settlement offer,” an apology is a “surprisingly powerful way to soothe patients and head off malpractice lawsuits.” While there likely are several forces compelling this addition to medical school curriculum and hospital policy, the notion that an apology can be a powerful healing agent melds nicely with the principles underlying the humanism in law and medicine movements mentioned here. Using apology to show remorse and admit mistake is a marked departure from the traditional "shut up and fight" strategy that champions doctors as demigods who can do no wrong. It levels the playing field, putting doctors and patients on more equal footing in terms of human strengths and foibles. I think it safe to say that the doctor-patient and attorney-client relationship both thrive where the professional always treats the consumer with the utmost honesty, kindness and respect.
