With medical errors a common source of injury and death in the U.S., it is vital to take charge of your health care in whatever ways you can. One of those is to choose the right medical providers.
While proper certification and experience are a start, they are not the only things that matter. In fact, your doctor may be on probation or may have faced license revocation in a different state, not easy information to find or mandatory to share with you. Reviews are not that accurate, either. You need to be aware of the signs of a bad doctor so you can know when to look for a new one to avoid being a victim of medical malpractice.
1. Not believing you
Doctors may have more knowledge and understanding of the human body, but no one knows your body as you do. If your doctor dismisses your claims, seek a second opinion. CNN reports on a real problem of providers handling uncertainty in diagnosing by blaming patients for making up their symptoms. It is better for a doctor to admit defeat and order more tests or refer you to a specialist than to cling to pride and jeopardize your health.
2. Disrespecting your wishes
A similar warning sign is a physician who blatantly disrespects your opinions and desires. Does your doctor pressure you into unwanted procedures and medications or use scare tactics to influence your choices? Does he or she belittle you or fail to listen to your health concerns? Does your doctor withhold information from you? If you do not feel in control of your medical care, see someone else.
3. Making lots of errors
Small, seemingly uneventful errors can be red flags that the risk of a severe mistake happening is high. Your doctor should run an organized practice that prioritizes good communication and proper record keeping, as these are significant prohibitors of medical negligence. Watch out for sloppiness in every stage of health care.
