People expect a certain level of care when they seek medical help from professionals, whether they are going to a hospital or visiting their doctor. Doctors, medical techs and nurses should help patients by reviewing their medical records, examining their condition, having patients undergo examinations and providing the proper treatment or medicine. A patient can suffer from serious injuries and illnesses when they don’t get the attention they need.
Many people continue to suffer from their medical condition even after a medical professional has seen them. In some cases, the condition worsens. This could be the result of a “misdiagnosis” or a “missed diagnosis.” Understanding the difference could be key to a medical malpractice case. Here’s what you should know:
Did you have a thorough diagnosis?
Unfortunately, some medical professionals will fail to diagnose patients, which can be referred to as a missed diagnosis. This can happen for several reasons. For example, a patient who frequently visits the hospital may no longer be taken seriously by medical professionals. Or, sexism may lead to a missed diagnosis. This has historically led to women being told that their illness is “all in their head.” This kind of treatment has led to patients suffering from medical conditions that would have been resolved with a thorough diagnosis.
Was the wrong illness or injury diagnosed?
Many illnesses and injuries can have similar symptoms to other medical conditions. This is why many medical professionals have patients undergo so many different examinations. For example, a migraine could be the result of high blood pressure or it could be caused by a tumor. A thorough examination can reveal what a patient may be suffering from. But, if the illness is confused with the wrong medical condition, a patient may continue to suffer from their condition and may also experience issues from the wrong treatment.
If your doctor or other medical professionals have their duty of care, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.
