Keywords

apology, concept development, health care, medical error, pragmatic utility, qualitative research, reconciliation

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to analyze the concept development of apology in the context of errors in health care, the administrative response, policy and format/process of the subsequent apology. Using pragmatic utility and a systematic review of the literature, 29 articles and one book provided attributes involved in apologizing. Analytic questions were developed to guide the data synthesis and types of apologies used in different circumstances identified. The antecedents of apologizing, and the attributes and outcomes were identified. A model was constructed illustrating the components of a complete apology, other types of apologies, and ramifications/outcomes of each. Clinical implications of developing formal policies for correcting medical errors through apologies are recommended. Defining the essential elements of apology is the first step in establishing a just culture in health care. Respect for patient-centered care reduces the retaliate consequences following an error, and may even restore the physician patient relationship.

Original Publication Citation

Prothero, M. M., & Morse, J. M. (2017). Eliciting the functional processes of apologizing for errors in health care: Developing an explanatory model of apology. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 4, 1-9, http://doi.org10.1177/2333393617696686 (Awarded best paper for 2017)

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2017-03-09

Publisher

Global Qualitative Nursing Research

Language

English

College

Nursing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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Included in

Nursing Commons

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