How to Protect Yourself from Misdiagnosis

The current medical situation in the United States leaves doctors rushed, needing to file more paperwork and see more patients in order to make up the difference from actual costs to what insurance reimburses them. Due to this time pressure and extra patient load, doctors are making more mistakes in diagnosis. Conservative estimates state that 15% of patients are misdiagnosed. More realistic estimates state that 20-25% of patients are misdiagnosed. Patients need to learn how to advocate for themselves in these situations and need to learn what questions to ask.

What mistakes do doctors make and why?
Doctors often make errors in diagnosis. In rare instances, these misdiagnoses can cause severe injury or death. Doctors make rush decisions to save time. In an NPR interview, Dr. Jerome Groopman, a chair at Harvard Medical School, said that most doctors come up with a diagnosis within the first 18 seconds of meeting a patient. Then, the doctor stops listening to the patient. Groopman calls this an anchoring mistake, where the doctor sticks with his or her natural inclination regardless of additional information.

The doctor can make an anchoring mistake during anytime during the meeting with you or review of your chart. Groopman says that sometimes doctors form their opinion before they even meet the patient during a phone call with the primary care physician. Sometimes the doctor makes his diagnosis by looking at information in the patients chart. These diagnosis can be correct, but the patient needs to advocate for themselves in these situations.

What A Patient Can Do To Protect Themselves From Misdiagnosis
1.) If a patient receives a diagnosis and a treatment, and continues to have symptoms, the patient should revisit with the doctor.

2.) Dr. Groopman suggests that you bring someone with you that "knows" how doctors think (i.e. they work in the medical industry in some way). This person could be a neighbor, friend, spouse, or sibling. These people can help keep the doctor on the right track. Even if you don't have someone that knows how doctors think, having someone there as a second person in the room can be helpful. That person could ask questions that you might not think of asking.

3.) Ask "What else could it be?" Instead of accepting the first diagnosis, asking this question gets the doctor thinking of other possibilities rather than sticking with their anchoring diagnosis.

4.) Ask if more than one thing could be occurring concurrently. Sometimes one diagnosis cannot explain all of your symptoms. Get the doctor to give you comprehensive care.

5.) Suggest a follow-up appointment. If a doctor is tied for time, a follow-up appointment may be more beneficial than prodding the doctor endlessly. Patients have the right to ask as many questions concerning their health as they want. However, if patients take an endless amount of time from the doctor, some doctors will only hear parts of their concerns. Remember, unfortunately, doctors are pressed for time in their practices.

6.) If the patient feels that the doctor does not like them, they should let the doctor know you feel that it isn't a good relationship. Then find a new doctor. You will not get along with every doctor, just like you won't get along with every person you meet. You do have the right to feel comfortable with your physician.

Following these steps can give the patient power in their healthcare and allow them to receive the best care they deserve.