When we go to the doctor, we hope that after the visit, we will either feel better or understand our condition better. In many cases, this is exactly what happens and people get the treatment and medication they need.
When this doesn’t happen, however, patients and their families can be enormously frustrated and confused. They can also feel scared about their future if they don’t know what’s wrong or they learn that a previous diagnosis was incorrect. Tragically, one report estimates that more than 12 million people go through this very situation every year in the U.S.
The report, which was completed by several independent medical experts that make up the Institute of Medicine, also found that most people in this country will receive at least one delayed or inaccurate diagnosis in their lives.
This is certainly troubling and the committee that completed this report says that the problem may only get worse unless and until huge changes are made in health care and the diagnostic process. The committee found that poor communication between patients and doctors can lead to misdiagnosis, as can failure to disclose errors, inaccurate medical records, poor oversight and limited feedback.
Sadly, there seems to be no easy way to resolve these problems in an effort to improve diagnostic results. Because of this, people all across Florida may be at risk of suffering complications or conditions stemming from a misdiagnosis. If you or a loved one has been through this difficult situation, you should know that you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim. Discussing this and other legal options with an attorney can be wise.
Source: The Washington Post, “Most Americans will get a wrong or late diagnosis at least once in their lives,” Lena H. Sun, Sept. 22, 2015