Given all that has been recently reported on physicians saying "I'm sorry," this short, straightforward book couldn't have come at a better time.
Dr. Michael Woods has written a practical, motivational book directed at physicians on the why's, how's, and what's of apologizing to patients. Drawing from personal experience, stories from other doctors, examples from other industries, and research data, Dr. Woods does not hold back in making an impassioned plea for physicians to master this tricky part of the patient-doctor relationship.
At ~82 pages, you can probably read this book in one or two sittings (In fact, I read most of it in the waiting room as I waited to see my doctor. Luckily he didn't have to apologize for anything that day). Dr. Woods moves quickly from topic to topic, breaking down just about every aspect of "I'm sorry" - why it's so difficult for physicians in particular to apologize, what an meaningful apologize entails, what the patient is thinking/feeling in apology-worthy situations, how to build more authentic relationships with patients, and even what exact words you could say in difficult situations.
Overall, doctors should apologize appropriately (and probably more often)- it's the right thing to do, it's the compassionate thing to do, and if that's not enough, it might even prevent some lawsuits.
I'm just sorry that I didn't read this book sooner.