Apologies Are Appreciated

Article

Apologies and appreciation can work wonders for both patient and physician. One afternoon at our noon-to-5 clinic, a flood of patients arrived all at once at 4:00. Most had to wait more than an hour to be seen, and they appeared tired. When I entered the examining room, I apologized for the long wait and thanked them for their patience. Their faces were immediately transformed.

 

Apologies and appreciation can work wonders for both patient and physician. One afternoon at our noon-to-5 clinic, a flood of patients arrived all at once at 4:00. Most had to wait more than an hour to be seen, and they appeared tired. When I entered the examining room, I apologized for the long wait and thanked them for their patience. Their faces were immediately transformed.


---- Maricelle Ong, MD
       Houma, La

More Practical Pointers >>

Newsletter

Enhance your clinical practice with the Patient Care newsletter, offering the latest evidence-based guidelines, diagnostic insights, and treatment strategies for primary care physicians.

Recent Videos
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.