Medical technology has advanced rapidly in recent decades. For the most part, this is a very good thing. However, technology cannot fully replace traditional methods such as listening to a patient describe their symptoms.
Some studies suggest that doctors aren’t that great at listening to patients. Why is this an issue and what can be done to address it?
Managing busy workloads
Staffing shortages in medical facilities coupled with the rising number of patients equate to less time. To stay on schedule, doctors may only be able to allocate a few minutes to each patient during initial consultations.
The onus is not on patients to ensure that they receive a reasonable standard of care, but there are certain things they can do to help. Being prepared by noting down symptoms in writing can help patients ensure that their immediate concerns are addressed. It also reduces the likelihood of something being missed out.
Taking someone with you can help
Healthcare is a very personal thing, but going to appointments on your own can be daunting. It may be a battle just to attend the appointment and get through it, let alone describe symptoms accurately and ask appropriate questions.
If you have a friend or family member that you’re comfortable with and who is aware of your condition, this can really help with relaying your symptoms to the doctor.
You have a legal right to receive a reasonable standard of medical care. Not listening to you could be a form of medical malpractice if you were misdiagnosed or suffered any other harm as a result. Remember, you can change doctors at any point. Seek further guidance to find out more about medical malpractice claims.
