How can I make sure my condition is diagnosed properly?
On Behalf of The Law Offices of Goldfine & Bowles, P.C.
August 13, 2015
You absolutely don’t want to go to the doctor and have the wrong diagnosis made, but is that all on your doctor? Are there things that you can do to help with the process and make sure that he or she comes to the right conclusion?
One excellent thing you can do is to note all of your symptoms in advance and write them down. The doctor is going to ask you for them, but you may forget, especially if you feel flustered or rushed. Forgetting something important could lead the doctor to the wrong conclusion.
Another important thing is to get your medical records, read them over, and familiarize yourself with your own history. Make sure that everything is fresh in your mind, and then tell your doctor about any important parts of that medical history. Yes, the doctor also has your records, but doctors look at many records every day, so viewing it yourself can help.
Don’t draw conclusions on your own. Many people are tempted to look things up online and then tell the doctor they think they have cancer or some other serious illness. It’s far better off to just talk about your symptoms and let the doctor decide what you have.
Finally, make sure that you ask questions. There are no dumb ones, and nothing is too small to ask about. This engages the doctor in the conversation and leads to organic conversations where he or she can learn a lot about you.
When the wrong diagnosis is made in Illinois, something that still happens often, you may be able to seek financial compensation.
Source: WedMD, “8 Ways to Help Your Doctor Make the Right Diagnosis,” Leslie Pepper, accessed Aug. 13, 2015