Blog Topic

Preventing Misdiagnosis
Posted by: Craig A. Knapp
February 15, 2012

If you or your loved one gets sick, the first thing most people do first is visit the doctor. Most of us don't think heavily about our illness or look too deeply into it, for we rely on medical professions to diagnose and treat us based on our symptoms. Unfortunately, however, this method has proven to be ineffective in getting the best treatment, with one in six of us being misdiagnosed by a medical professional in our lifetime. Misdiagnosis is also responsible for one in 20 in-patient hospital deaths.

When considering how many people shuffle in and out of the hospital each day, this number is staggering, especially since this number could be significantly reduced when proper steps are taken. In attempting to reduce diagnostic errors, it's important to understand what they are, why they happen, and how to prevent them.

What is a diagnostic error or misdiagnosis?

This is when a medical professional inaccurately concludes what, specifically, is wrong with a patient.

Why do they happen?

1.) "Premature Closure"-Diagnosing too quickly, without considering other possibilities of what the ailment might be.

2.) Failure to order lab test results or follow up on them.

3.) Miscommunication among several health care professionals a patient may see.

4.) Patient fails to provide health summary and history.

How can a patient prevent misdiagnosis?

1.) Ask your doctor what they suspect is wrong with you and why they suspect that particular diagnosis.

2.) Ask your doctor if they had considered any other possible diagnoses.

3.) Use the buddy system. Have a friend or family member come with you when you visit each doctor, that way they can act as an extra set of ears to ensure understanding with each doctor you see.

4.) Get organized. Write down a list of all your symptoms. Record the medications you take, the dose, how often, and why. List any attempts you've made to try to manage your symptoms, what you did, how you felt, etc...

5.) Get copies. Any time your doctor runs a test or has any records, ask for copies for yourself. Create a folder of your medical history with this (similar to step 4). Make sure you have a cop\y of any medical history there is out there on you from every doctor you see.

6.) Do your own research. With all the documents you've attained and the information you've gathered from your doctor, double check his diagnosis yourself. A simple search on the internet can tell you all about the ailment your doctor diagnosed you with, making it easy for you to gauge if you believe it is correct. After all, you know yourself and your symptoms best.

7.) Get another opinion. Once you've conducted some research, it's time to get a second opinion. See if the doctors come up with the same diagnosis. With this, don't forget to follow the above steps again. It will help you in concluding why their opinions may be different or the same.

8.) Get tested again. If you were tested in a lab for your ailment, get tested again somewhere else. See if the results are the same. Again, this will help you double check on whether they match or differ and why.

9.) Speak up and ask questions! Although it can be intimidating to question a doctor's diagnosis, it can only help. As the old adage goes, "The risk of insult is the price of clarity."

Knapp & Roberts is dedicated to reducing medical malpractice in Arizona. We believe people have the right to feel safe and secure in visiting a doctor. With misdiagnosis so common in the medical industry, we also believe in educating people on how to help prevent these mistakes from happening. If you or your loved one has been a victim of a misdiagnosis resulting in harm or fatality, don't hesitate to reach out. We have the experience and passion you need to fight for your rights to ensure the same thing does not happen to someone else. We care about your story and we can help you share it.

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