C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative

What’s an element of your approach to your patient after a mistake?

Takeaway

Acknowledge, apologize, and empathize.

Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | April 16, 2021 | <1 min read

Highlights

Apologize.

Dr. Carl Streed Jr, Boston Medical Center
Apologize and empathize.

Dr. Margaret Chisolm, Johns Hopkins Medicine
I ask if they’d like any loved one present during this apology conversation.

Dr. Amteshwar Singh, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Acknowledge. Apologize. Empathize. Strategize what I can do better next time. 

Dr. Eric Last
Maintain your compassion. 

Dr. Elizabeth Gundersen, Florida Atlantic University

Apologize and validate.

Dr. Megan Gerber
Name it. Be honest, clear, and humble.

Dr. Mariah Robertson, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Dr. Carl Streed Jr, Boston Medical Center

Apologize.

Dr. Margaret Chisolm, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Apologize and empathize.

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Dr. Amteshwar Singh, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I ask if they’d like any loved one present during this apology conversation. It’s a scary conversation for patients too, something we may forget to consider in the midst of our own fear and emotions.

Dr. Eric Last

Acknowledge. Apologize. Empathize. Strategize what I can do better next time.

Dr. Elizabeth Gundersen, Florida Atlantic University

Maintain your compassion.

Dr. Megan Gerber

Apologize and validate. Know that for many of our more vulnerable patients this can be a recurring trauma or betrayal at the “hands of” the healthcare system.

Dr. Mariah Robertson, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Name it, be clear and honest. Be humble and listen to whatever the response may be from the patient. But if I have to choose one element it’s humility.

Conversation

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