Sorry Works! Campaign To Educate Patients and Families

Launched Tuesday, January 9, 2013

Over the last seven years Sorry Works! has trained thousands of doctors and nurses how to say “sorry” and stay connected with patients and families after something goes wrong. But, no one has “trained” patients and families how to behave after something goes wrong --- other than offering flippant advice to find a good lawyer.  This is especially problematic with the disclosure movement. Clinicians and healthcare organizations are now more willing to remain engaged post-event and, when necessary, apologize and offer compensation, but patients and families don’t know what to expect or how to navigate the system. Sometimes patients and families literally run away.

We are going to change this situation with the “Sorry Works! Campaign to Educate Patients and Families.” The campaign officially launched January 9, 2013. Campaign materials include a book for patients and families available as an e-book or hard copy, flyer, and YouTube videos on our website.

The educational materials will be fair and balanced, from teaching patients and families that not every bad outcome is caused by error or malpractice, to instructing patients and families what to do if the doctor runs away post-event. We will cover the entire gamut of situations and scenarios so consumers are better able to stay connected with their doctors and nurses after something goes wrong. Ultimately, it is my hope that by educating patients and families in much the same manner we have educated doctors and nurses through our traditional Sorry Works! outreach, that we will push these two camps together more often after something goes wrong. When the doctor-patient relationship is preserved post-event, we all win.

 We will be relying heavily on social media to promote this campaign – so please “like us” on Facebook, “follow us” on Twitter, and connect with us on LinkedIn. Also, here is a short YouTube video describing the campaign --- please share with friends and colleagues.  Help grow our list of social media followers --- please send people our way!!  Encourage folks to connect with us on social media!