Doctors Say ‘I’m Sorry’ Before ‘See You in Court’

In addition to the ethical and educational benefits, the cost savings resulting from straight talk with patients and their families that avoids litigation can be extraordinary.  For health care institutions considering this approach -- as they should -- both the effectiveness and the savings may  best be achieved through implementation of a formal Mediation/ADR program. 

For years, doctors have been taught to deny medical errors and defend themselves to the end.  Such denial is contrary to the honesty doctors and patients desire in a patient-physician relationship.  However, the risk of medical malpractice has led physicians to pursue this practice.  With medical malpractice insurance premiums escalating at an alarming rate, physicians at prominent...