Apology legislation helps doctors say 'I'm sorry' to patients

When the oncologist came in to the room he just came in and looked at my brother and said I'm sorry we harmed you more than we helped you. It was so unexpected but it meant a lot to my brother....the apology itself was very powerful and it certainly helped my brother acquire a sense of peace.- Margaret MacDonald, Brandon, Manitoba

Margaret MacDonald's brother died after receiving an excessive dose of radiation during his cancer treatment. An apology from the doctor helped in her own process of healing.

A doctor's meaningful apology can certainly provide a powerful connection with patients and family. And in Manitoba, there's a new move underway to hear more of them.

The Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety along with the Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges is trying to educate medical professionals about something called the Apology Act. It's legislation that has been on the books in that province and in many parts of Canada for years.

Laurie Thompson is the executive director of the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety, a non- profit, independent organization that was formed by the provincial government in 2004. She was in our Winnipeg studio.

Tanya Barnett knows first hand the power of an apology. Her 17-year-old daughter Jessica suffered for years from a treatable heart defect called Long QT syndrome - though the condition was never properly diagnosed. The condition killed her. The Barnett family eventually reached an out of court settlement with the doctors and the health centers involved in her care in 2010. Here is a video about Jessica called: "Do No Harm: Jess' Story".

• Tanya Barnett is Jessica's mom. She was in our Halifax studio.
• Dr. Philip Hebert is Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine at the University of Toronto and past Chair of the Research Ethics Board at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He's also the author of "Doing Right: A Practical Guide to Ethics for Physicians and Medical Trainees".
• Frank Gomberg is a mediator with a background in personal injury law. He's also an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.

We'd like to hear from you on this... why do you think "sorry" is such a hard word to say for medical professionals? Have you had meaningful or not-so-meaningful apologies?

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This segment was produced by Winnipeg's Network Producer, Suzanne Dufresne.