Some illnesses and diseases take years to advance. Others can do so in a matter of hours or even minutes. Patients rely on doctors to get their diagnosis right the first time, regardless of the speed at which their conditions may be manifesting.
Unfortunately, many doctors don’t diagnose patients accurately. Here are some of the reasons that the issues of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis remain so prevalent in the U.S.
They are not paying enough attention
You can usually tell if someone is paying attention to you or not. If a doctor has their mind on something else – be it lunch, their child who is sick at home or their upcoming tax return – they may fail to hear what you tell them and miss a vital indicator of your condition. The same applies if they fail to thoroughly read your medical notes or forget to carry out part of an examination because they are distracted by their phone or anything else.
They are seeking to reinforce their initial impression/opinion
When people are sure that they are correct, they can ignore evidence that runs in the face of an established opinion, choosing only to listen to that which backs up a prevailing theory. If a doctor makes up their mind too early, they could miss the real cause or miss a far more dangerous condition hidden behind the obvious one.
They are concerned about symptoms that may be “all in someone’s head”
Some doctors get fed up with seeing the same person repeatedly, especially if they rarely find what the person is claiming is wrong with them to be true. Yet, as medical professionals, doctors must always keep an open mind.
These are just three reasons a doctor might miss a crucial diagnosis. Consider legal help to explore your legal options if you’ve suffered as a result of a misdiagnosis or a missed diagnosis, as you may be entitled to compensation at this time.