Doctors are the gatekeepers for prescription medication. They also typically need to diagnose the patients they see. Diagnosis is arguably one of the most critical elements of successful medical treatment.
Doctors can only resolve significant medical issues when they know exactly what causes them. Physicians have powerful testing equipment at their disposal throughout the diagnostic process. Unfortunately, many licensed medical professionals fail to make full use of the systems in place for the protection of patients.
Many doctors rush through the diagnostic process by jumping to a conclusion instead of making use of the tools and tests at their disposal. A failure to diagnose a patient or diagnosing them with the wrong condition can have life-altering consequences for the affected patient. How can patients recognize when they are at risk of diagnostic mistakes because of a physician’s behavior?
When doctors don’t give them time
Adequate time discussing a situation with a patient is crucial for a physician trying to diagnose the underlying cause of their symptoms. Unfortunately, many doctors have significant pressure on their time because of their employment arrangements.
They have to see a certain number of patients per hour in addition to keeping detailed records. They may rush through interactions with patients and reach unsubstantiated conclusions because that is the simplest solution available.
Researchers have discovered that physicians only listen to patients for an average of 11 seconds before they interrupt to ask questions or impose their own perception on the patient. A rushed appointment is unlikely to result in an accurate diagnosis.
When they ignore patient complaints
Another warning sign of potential diagnostic failure involves a doctor who doesn’t really listen to their patients. Certain types of patients, including women and those with darker complexions, may find that doctors are more likely to ignore their complaints of pain due to their personal biases.
If doctors cannot witness or quantify the symptoms patients mention, they may discount self-reported information. They may then end up reaching an inaccurate conclusion about the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Diagnostic mistakes prevent patients from getting the care they need and might even result in them undergoing unnecessary treatment for conditions they don’t actually have. The patients negatively affected by diagnostic errors and those who lose loved ones because of misdiagnosis may have experienced actionable medical malpractice.
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can help people recoup losses caused by a doctor’s negligence and may inspire changes at corporate hospitals and health care practices. Patients who did not receive accurate and timely diagnoses may have grounds to hold health care professionals accountable for failing to provide adequate care.