Going to the doctor should make you feel better, not worse.
But the truth is poor medical care is more common than most people know. Wellness patients walk into clinics everyday expecting high quality care and leave with new issues they didn’t have before. The scary part is
A lot of patients don’t even know it happened until much later.
Learn to recognize the warning signs of bad care before it jeopardizes your health (or your pocketbook). Read on…
In This Guide:
- Why Substandard Care Is More Common Than You Think
- The Warning Signs Of Bad Medical Care
- What To Do When You Spot Substandard Care
- How A Lawyer Can Help You
Why Substandard Care Is More Common Than You Think
Most patients have complete faith in their doctors. And that’s understandable — doctors have years of training and an obligation of care to every patient that comes through their door.
But trust alone is not enough.
Medical errors are now the third leading cause of preventable harm in the US. A study from Johns Hopkins revealed that more than 250,000 Americans die each year from medical errors — if medical mistakes were their own category, they’d be the third leading cause of death in the country.
That number is huge.
And this is not even referring to deaths. Hundreds of thousands of more patients are injured each year by errors that should never have occurred. Wellness patients are not immune. In fact, sometimes they are the most vulnerable because their concerns are often swept under the rug.
If something doesn’t seem right with your care, take it seriously. A lot of patients end up looking for an experienced Irvine medical malpractice lawyer benefits at some point after they realize they’ve been injured, and a good contingency fee lawyer can help you determine if your standard of care was truly violated without charging you up front.
Here’s why this matters so much…
It Happens At Every Level
You might think bad care only happens at small or under-funded clinics. Wrong.
Poor quality care exists at every level of the healthcare system — at the local family physician’s office and at sprawling hospital systems. In fact, a recent study showed that 23% of hospitalized patients suffered a diagnostic error. Almost 1 in 4. And those patients were at some of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals.
So no, you can’t just assume the brand name on the building means safety.
The Warning Signs Of Bad Medical Care
But how can you tell when you’re getting substandard care? In most cases, your instincts will tell you there is a problem before your intellect catches on. Listen to them. Here are the most important red flags all wellness patients need to know about.
The Doctor Doesn’t Listen To You
This is huge. If your doctor cuts you off, brushes off your concerns, or doesn’t ask follow-up questions — listen up.
A good doctor listens to your symptoms. They take notes. They ask follow up questions. If your appointment feels rushed and you feel like a number, that’s a red flag.
Unheard patients are more likely to be misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosis is one of the most common types of substandard care.
Rushed Or Sloppy Examinations
You should never feel like your doctor is rushing to get you out of the room. A good exam takes time. Your doctor should:
- Listen to your full medical history
- Do a complete physical examination
- Run the right tests
- Explain their findings clearly
If any of these steps get skipped, your care is being rushed. Rushed care means errors.
Lack Of Clear Communication
Your doctor should communicate with you in a way that makes sense to you. If he or she spews medical jargon and won’t translate, that’s a red flag.
You have a right to know what is wrong with you, what treatment options are available, and the risks and benefits of each option. You cannot make an informed, intelligent decision about your own health without this information. That, by itself, is substandard care.
Pressure To Take Specific Treatments
Some doctors will push certain medications or procedures without explanation. If you feel railroaded into a treatment without explanation, stop and ask questions.
A good doctor will present you with choices and honor your right to decide. If you feel like a freight train is barreling you into a decision, then something’s wrong.
Unexplained Complications Or Lost Records
Complications can occur despite appropriate care. But if you experience unexplained complications and your doctor dismisses them without investigation, that is a problem.
Also true for missing records. If your physician “misplaces” the results of your tests, or your medical records have a habit of disappearing, take off running. Diagnostic mistakes are responsible for close to 800,000 cases of disability or death each year in the U.S. many of which are the result of administrative error.
What To Do When You Spot Substandard Care
Identifying poor care is just the beginning. Now you have to do something about it. Here’s how:
- Get a second opinion — never trust one doctor’s word, especially if you have a feeling something isn’t right
- Document everything — keep records of every appointment, test result, prescription, and conversation
- Request your medical records — you are legally entitled to all of your records, so ask for copies
- Report the incident — file a complaint with the medical board or the hospital’s patient relations office
- Talk to an attorney — if you have been injured, you may have a medical malpractice claim
That last step is where most people get stuck. They worry about the cost.
That’s where a contingency fee lawyer comes in. With this arrangement, you pay nothing up front. The lawyer only gets paid if you win. That eliminates the greatest obstacle to justice.
Final Thoughts
Deficient medical care is far more prevalent than the healthcare system wants you to think. Wellness patients are often at the greatest risk, as they are written off as “low priority”.
Don’t let that be you.
To quickly recap, the warning signs to watch for are:
- A doctor who doesn’t listen
- Rushed or sloppy examinations
- Lack of clear communication
- Pressure to take specific treatments
- Unexplained complications or lost records
If any of these sound familiar, don’t just stand by. Get a second opinion. Document your care. Talk to a contingency fee lawyer if you think you have been injured. Your health is not a game to a doctor who is not paying attention.
