Doctors and nurses are there to help us, and most of the time, they do an amazing job. But sometimes, they get things wrong or mix things up, ultimately putting your health in jeopardy. If you’re misdiagnosed, it could trigger a host of negative consequences, negatively affecting your life in many ways.
But what exactly are you supposed to do if you suspect a misdiagnosis?
Why a Misdiagnosis Is So Serious
In some instances, a misdiagnosis is no big deal. For example, if a doctor thinks you have the common cold, but you actually have the flu.
You’ll probably get better on your own regardless of what treatments are offered to you. But in more severe instances, misdiagnosis can be extremely serious. If you’re diagnosed with the wrong condition, or if a doctor doesn’t diagnose you with anything, you may not get the medications, treatment, or support you need.
This can lead to your condition worsening, and in some cases, it can lead to your premature death.
Misdiagnosis, in some cases, is a form of medical malpractice. If your doctor should have been able to diagnose you accurately, but they didn’t, it’s considered negligence in the eyes of the law. Negligence and medical malpractice are complicated legal areas. We expect doctors to provide us with adequate medical care, and when they don’t, we can hold them responsible.
Do note that in some cases, misdiagnosis is reasonable. It is possible for doctors to do everything they can to give you adequate legal care and still fail. This isn’t necessarily negligent. Even so, you owe it to yourself to take action if you suspect misdiagnosis.
Signs of Misdiagnosis
These are some of the hallmark signs of a misdiagnosis.
Confusing Symptoms
Are you suffering from symptoms that don’t align with the condition you were diagnosed with? Or, are there some obvious symptoms of the condition you were diagnosed with that you simply don’t have? This confusion could be a clue to misdiagnosis.
Continuing Symptoms
If you’ve been prescribed medication or given treatment for a disease, but your symptoms have continued, it might be a sign that the diagnosis is off.
Worsening Conditions
The same is true if you notice worsening conditions. If you don’t seem to be getting better, the root cause could be misdiagnosis.
No Testing
When your doctor diagnosed you, did they do so as a result of testing? In some cases, a lack of testing or the wrong tests can be a sign of misdiagnosis.
What to Do If You Suspect a Misdiagnosis
So what are you supposed to do if you suspect that you’ve been misdiagnosed?
Get as much info as possible from your doctor.
First, get as much information as possible from your doctor. What is the basis for their reasoning? What other conditions or diseases could be responsible for these symptoms?
What kinds of tests did they run and why did they run them? This can help you understand the situation better and serve as evidence down the line.
Do some research on your own.
Next, do some research on your own. Generally, you need to be cautious about doing your own medical research: you do not have a medical degree and the internet is full of misinformation.
However, it’s possible that you find a condition that more closely aligns with your symptoms, or a network of people who have been misdiagnosed in similar ways. While not definitive, it can validate some of your intuitions about the misdiagnosis.
Get a second opinion.
Second opinions are important in the medical community, even outside the realm of misdiagnosis investigation. Consider visiting another physician, nurse, or other medical provider to see what they have to say about your original diagnosis. They may offer a strongly differing opinion on the matter.
Consider a third opinion.
Beyond that, there’s nothing wrong with getting a third opinion. It can help break a tie of opinion between professionals, or give you more information to work with.
Gather evidence and talk to a lawyer.
If you’ve been misdiagnosed, there’s a chance you have a medical malpractice claim – and you may be entitled to compensation.
However, to better position yourself to win a settlement, it’s important to gather evidence. Hire a medical malpractice lawyer and follow their instructions for how to proceed.
Misdiagnosis comes in many forms, and it happens more often than we like to imagine. However, if you’ve been misdiagnosed, there are several things you can do to correct this problem and seek legal recourse.
With a bit of proactive planning and the help of a lawyer, you can position yourself more favorably in the wake of this misdiagnosis.
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