We want to be able to trust our doctors implicitly. After all, they are trained to assess our health and offer sound recommendations to aid in our continued well-being. But we owe it to ourselves to actively participate in seeing to our own interests health-wise. So, to that end, how can we to help to ensure that we receive an accurate diagnosis of our symptoms when we visit a doctor or hospital?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when having an examination:
- You want to have a good doctor-patient relationship. You should feel at ease when you converse with your doctor.
- Do not let your doctor rush you through telling your story. There is a greater chance for a misdiagnosis if the doctor does not take the time to get all the facts.
- If a doctor does not seem certain of their diagnosis, do not try to force them into being more definitive. It would be better if they referred you to a physician or specialist who is better able to give you an accurate diagnosis.
- If you receive surprising or unexpected results on any medical tests, have them verified. Things can happen in the testing process that lead to inaccurate results.
These are just some of the things that can help improve your chances of receiving accurate answers to questions about a potential health problem. You can find a more detailed set of suggestions here.
Being proactive could help you get the care you need. But in the end, it is the medical professionals who will issue a diagnosis and give their opinion of the kind of care you should have. If a diagnosis proves incorrect, the consequences could be catastrophic. The treatment you receive could leave you with a worsened medical condition. You may also be delayed in receiving the treatment that you really need.
If a doctor provides a misdiagnosis that results in a bad outcome, you may have grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. A medical malpractice attorney could carry out an investigation of your care and help determine your legal needs in seeking compensation.