re: Would it really kill anyone to apologize?
"Medical students are now being taught about apology. It seems that, far from being an admission of weakness, it turns away the wrath of the injured party."
Sounds interesting. But it seems a bit strange.
Perhaps sympathy or empathy might be a better word than apology. Or this was also once described as the doctor's bedside manner.
Now, if the doctor does something like accidentally punch the patient, then it would be a good idea to apologize [though of course in today times he would probably get sued].