The Virtues of Apology: Enhancing the Relationship between Healthcare Providers and Patients

This paper explores the significance of moral virtues in the conduct of healthcare providers towards patients. The key moral virtues of the medical professions if accompanied by apologetics, healthcare professionals can mitigate the likelihood of patient complaints resulting from medical or nursing errors. The concept of apology, comprising three steps - regret, cause and remedy - serves as a means to foster improved relations between healthcare providers and patients. In situations where mistakes occur, offering an apology is deemed the most appropriate course of action.