When you visit your doctor with a medical concern, you put your faith in this person. You hope that they'll do whatever it takes to diagnose your ailment, provide treatment and help you reach your former level of health.
How often do doctors make diagnosis mistakes?
There are two main types of diagnosis mistakes. First, the doctor may miss the disease entirely. This is a missed diagnosis when the doctor overlooks something or even tells you that you're healthy when you're not. The second is a misdiagnosis when the doctor knows that there is a problem, but he or she simply thinks it is something else. An example could be telling you that a spot on your skin is a wart when it's actually skin cancer.
It's dangerous to trust a doctor's first opinion
Throughout March, many individuals have been commemorating Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. One of those individuals is a 22-year-old Minneapolis woman. Her abdominal discomfort went misdiagnosed until doctors finally performed a colonoscopy on her. They found that she had colon cancer.
Signs of a misdiagnosis of your condition
Do you think that you were misdiagnosed by a Hinesville doctor? Do you think that your diagnosis should be more serious than it is? What if you were diagnosed, and the condition is actually less severe than originally thought? All of these issues with misdiagnosis happen all too often throughout the medical field. Here are the most common signs that you were misdiagnosed by a medical professional.
How to minimize the risk of an emergency room error
When you visit a hospital emergency room for treatment, you expect to receive nothing but the best care. While the staff can only do so much in a short period, there's never an excuse for any mistake.
These common ailments are often misdiagnosed
If you begin to feel poorly, the very first thing you should think about is seeking medical attention. Even if you don't require it, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Death of singer draws questions about medical care
There is always a risk of medical errors, no matter who you are. The widow of Chris Cornell is suing over his death. Cornell, best known as a member of the band Soundgarden, struggled with anxiety. He was also prone to addiction, according to his wife.
A lack of evidence doesn't always mean you're not ill
Most people will deal with a misdiagnosis at one point or another during their lives. For example, someone who has blood work performed might end up diagnosed with anemia or another condition only to find out later that it was not an accurate test because they hadn't eaten or prepared properly.
Misdiagnoses: Getting the right treatment matters for your health
Misdiagnoses often occur because of the similarities between illnesses. People who struggle with chest pain, for example, could have a heart problem, lung disease or even a back injury. It's up to a medical provider to narrow down the possibilities and determine the true cause of injuries or illnesses.
Why do misdiagnoses happen?
One of the most common reasons that doctors face medical malpractice lawsuits is because of misdiagnoses. A misdiagnosis can occur for many reasons, from a patient not giving the medical provider enough information to the medical provider failing to order the correct tests. A misdiagnosis happens when a medical provider determines an incorrect diagnosis, fails to provide a diagnosis or delays a diagnosis for a length of time. In every case, malpractice relies on the patient suffering harm in some way.
