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Communication Matters

An article in The National Law Review titled “Bad Bedside Manner or Medical Malpractice?” investigates the connection between poor communication from the medical provider and medical malpractice.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the doctors who get sued the most are the ones who “don’t communicate well with their patients. They don’t listen, they don’t explain, and they don’t inspire confidence.” These behaviors contrast with the traits that doctors who have never been sued possess: “being accessible, concerned, and willing to communicate.”

Consequences of Poor Communication

If a doctor does not consult with patients regarding medical decisions in a manner that allows patients to understand proposed treatments and procedures, then the doctor causes the patient to lose their agency. “This feeling of being denied a voice, of having no control over their own medical decisions, can be frightening and traumatic.”

Furthermore, doctors who fail to listen to patients run the risk of committing errors such as misdiagnosis, which could ultimately lead to injury and a subsequent malpractice lawsuit.

When Poor Communication Crosses the Line and Becomes Malpractice

Patients have:

Nevertheless, as the article notes, “there are doctors out there who will talk over, bully, or coerce patients into medical decisions they don’t agree with. This is wrong.__”

When a doctor’s behavior infringes on these rights and significant harm results, a patient can and should take action.

If you believe you have suffered harm as a result of your physician’s lack of communication, you are not alone. Studies show that physicians who neither listen to nor explain information to their patients end up with more dissatisfied patients, some of whom ultimately pursue lawsuits to hold their doctors accountable for their behavior and to ensure the doctor doesn’t make the same mistakes with other patients.

The Eisen Law Firm and Doctors who do not Communicate

The Eisen Law Firm focuses our practice on medical malpractice cases exclusively. This focus enables us to know the ins and outs of medical negligence lawsuits. Led by a Harvard educated attorney, we know both the medicine and the law. We have seen many cases where a physician did not properly communicate with other members of the medical team, resulting in catastrophic injury. We know how to hold doctors and hospitals responsible for their medical errors and have a proven track record of doing so.

If you believe that you or a loved one experienced poor communication from your healthcare provider that violated your rights as a patient and resulted in a catastrophic, preventable injury, please contact us. Our experienced Cleveland medical malpractice lawyers will discuss your options for legal recourse and for obtaining the compensation you deserve. To schedule your free consultation, call 216-287-0900 or contact us online today.