Get a second opinion… before it’s too late
If you think you have been misdiagnosed by a doctor or another health care provider, you are not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of Americans believe they have been a victim of medical misdiagnosis at one point or another. And considering the fact that the Institute of Medicine reports that more people die each year as a result of medical malpractice than breast cancer, highway accidents, or AIDS, many of these individuals are probably right.
The scary truth is that even though most doctors and hospitals try their very best to promote patient health, mistakes are made on a daily basis due to human error alone. When you add in the complexities of modern medicine and the complications of a very busy work environment, the opportunity for error only increases.
One of the ways to avoid becoming a victim of medical misdiagnosis is by getting a second opinion. This is a good idea because it not only reduces the chance that a serious illness has been overlooked, but also gives you the peace of mind that your symptoms have been double-checked. Sometimes, it may just be your intuition that tells you that a diagnosis is wrong, but in these cases it’s very important to seek a second opinion from another health care provider.
If it is too late and you believe you have already been the victim of medical misdiagnosis and suffered injuries as a result, it may be wise to contact a medical malpractice attorney who can investigate your case. Often, hospitals and health care facilities are reluctant to give you information that might hurt them in a medical malpractice case, which is why it can be beneficial to have an attorney on your side.
Source: Hive Health Media, “Need a Second Opinion? How to Rule out Medical Malpractice,” Molly P., June 23, 2013