Sustaining an injury or illness is the last thing any patient wants when visiting a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, though, this occurs on a regular basis; a July 2000 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association posits that “an estimated 44,000 to 98,000 [of Americans] die each year as a result of medical errors,” with countless more receiving injuries or seeing their symptoms worsen.
Of course, this negligence, also known as medical malpractice, is entirely unacceptable, although it is still an issue facing patients everywhere. In order to protect you and your loved ones from hospital negligence or malpractice at the hands of a medical professional, consider these six tips before you visit the doctor.
1. Read Reviews Online
The Internet is an extremely powerful tool, as many have come to realize. It puts an unlimited amount of knowledge at your fingertips, allowing you to research virtually anything you want. As such, before you visit a doctor, take some time to read online reviews of his or her services. Reviews posted by other patients may shed light on the quality of service you can expect when you head into the office.
2. Provide All Necessary Information…
While it is the doctor’s job to diagnose and treat you accordingly, it is your responsibility to provide him or her with all relevant information. Anything that could be pertinent to your condition or your treatment should be immediately handed over to the doctor for scrutiny.
3. …but Be Prepared to Speak Up
Even if you hand over all pertinent documents to your healthcare provider, as well as any other information that could be useful, he or she may still fail to make a correct or timely diagnosis. If you have ideas of your own, or you notice specific symptoms, make note of these to your doctor; this may help avoid a catastrophic situation down the road.
4. Do Your Own Research
Consider the amount of patients a doctor sees each day. If you are visiting an overworked physician, he or she may not be fully researching your symptoms or your potential condition, and instead could be relying on training from years past.
Don’t leave the fate of you or your loved ones solely up to the healthcare professional; instead, take time to do some research of your own. Additional research could shed light on your symptoms, and could provide you with a greater understanding of the problem at hand.
5. Consult with More Than One Doctor
The statistics regarding medical malpractice and hospital negligence highlight the fact that all doctors are capable of making mistakes. In light of this, it is always in your best interest to speak with a second (or third) doctor if you have additional questions that your regular physician has failed to answer. Seeking out a second opinion will protect you from any unnecessary harm, and may even help you resolve or diagnose your condition in a more timely manner.
6. Reach Out to an Attorney
Sadly, in some cases, diligent efforts to protect yourself may still result in you being injured at the hands of a doctor. And in this situation, you should reach out to an attorney immediately. An attorney may not be able to help with your diagnosis or treatment, but will ensure that you are compensated for any injuries you sustained, and that the doctor is help responsible for his or her negligence. Speak with a medical malpractice lawyer today to discuss your case and to learn about your options for recovery.