Pennsylvania recently adopted “benevolent gesture” legislation to allow healthcare providers in the state to apologize to patients and their families for injuries and unexpected outcomes that occurred during medical treatment without fear that this information may be used against them in a malpractice suit, as long as these gestures are not statements of fault or negligence. Some three dozen other jurisdictions have similar laws. 

“Medicine is not an exact science, and outcomes may be unpredictable, C. Richard Schott, MD, 2012 to 2013 president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said in a statement. “Benevolent gestures are always appropriate and physicians should not have to fear giving them.”

Renal & Urology News would like to ask nephrologists and urologists the following poll question.

Continue Reading