The power of apology: how saying sorry can leave both patients and nurses feeling better (2009)

Summary

This article in the Nursing Times looks at how a sincere and prompt apology, using appropriate language and tone, can help those involved come to terms with something that has gone wrong. Nurses may be concerned that saying sorry will make litigation more likely, but the evidence is that patients are less likely to resort to the courts if they feel they have been listened to and have been offered a "proper" apology.