讓醫師說抱歉：臺灣與國外道歉相關法令之分析

對公開承認自己事前無法預料的醫療疏失的醫師而言，表達歉意可能是最好的行動方案。道歉已經被認為是消弭差異與減少昂貴的法律訴訟的可行方法之一。然而，道歉可能會被視為醫生應該負責的證據。為了修正潛在的責任議題，道歉法的立法與其他制度（例如：無過失賠償制度）已經在全球逐漸實施，臺灣也在研議是否要通過相關法令。本研究探討在大陸法系的國家例如臺灣，執行相關法令的效能，並探討執行法令可能必須考慮的議題。為了降低醫療照護費用與減少醫療糾紛，儘管可能會有一些文化因素，臺灣有關道歉法的立法值得大家討論，讓相關狀況得以改善。

關鍵字

醫療疏失揭露；醫療過失；醫生與病人間溝通；道歉立法

並列摘要

For physicians who are willing to disclose unforeseen medical errors, presenting apologies are probably the best course of action. As a result, apologies have been recognized as one of the most applicable approaches in settling differences and curbing costly lawsuits. However, apologies have been regarded as evidence for the physicians’ responsibility. Hence, to amend such a potential liability issue, apology legislations and inter alia (e.g. no-fault compensation systems) have been gradually enforced globally. Currently, Taiwan could pass such legislation. This research reviews the efficacies of implementing such legislation in Taiwan, a civil law jurisdiction. Discussed are considered issues in enforcement such legislation. Despite potential cultural relevancy issues, conferred are the necessities of Taiwan’s apology-related legislation to streamline health care expenses and alleviated medical disputes. Hence, further developments are needed in physician patient communication. As a result, Taiwan’s conditions can be improved via the adoption of certain elements in those of the aforesaid jurisdictions.

並列關鍵字

Medical errors ； Medical malpractice ； Physician-patient communication ； Apology law

參考文獻

Allan, A., 2008. Functional apologies in law. Psychiatry, psychology and law, 15(3), pp.369-381.

Google Scholar

Avruch, K. and Wang, Z., 2005. Culture, Apology, and International Negotiation: The Case of the Sino-US" Spy Plane" Crisis. International Negotiation, 10(2), pp.337-354.