In the modern world, where technology plays a substantial role in the healthcare system to prevent human error in diagnosis and treatments, surprisingly, medical negligence is still a problem which is the third leading cause of death in multiple countries; medical malpractice is a subject which comes with multiple ethical and financial consequences for the global healthcare system, compromising the reputation of multiple institutions and the physical and mental well-being of the victims.
In the medical field, to say that mistakes can happen is not possible because doctors should execute their obligations toward the patients with care, and an apparently simple error could lead to tragic events. It’s crucial to raise awareness of medical malpractice so that you can learn how to prevent a terrible situation and commit to medical institutions with confidence. So, in this article, we are going to present some valuable tips to avoid becoming a victim of medical malpractice because prevention is always better than cure:
What’s medical malpractice?
Medical malpractices are the consequential acts of a negligent caregiver who doesn’t execute their obligations toward the patient. It can be considered malpractice in every situation that leads to the harm of the patient, their death or long-term diseases. For example, the most common malpractices are misdiagnosis or cancer, infections and vascular issues, inadequate treatment of a disease, surgery errors, improper use of medical equipment and any action which doesn’t respect medical standards.
Medical negligence comes with multiple consequences for all parties involved. The caregiver risks losing their attestation because the patient has the legal right to sue them for malpractice, and it also brings a consistent financial gap into the healthcare system. Any trained care provider can be liable for medical negligence, including doctors, nurses, lab technicians, dentists, chiropractors, and hospitals. So, to avoid becoming a victim of negligence, this is what you can do:
Know your legal rights as a victim
First of all, it’s crucial to be aware that if you’ve been a victim of medical negligence, you have the legal right to sue the hospital or caregiver for compensation. For instance, the professionals at Gary Matthews Solicitors can help you gain evidence about your situation and take your case to court so that you can get compensated for the medical errors that have cost your health.
An act of medical malpractice comes with multiple consequences, both physical and psychological, for the victims, and you might experience long-term pain, mental issues such as PTSD if you’ve perceived the situation as a traumatic event and even disabilities. Furthermore, in the case of failed surgeries, victims can also have to undergo additional interventions causing stress and unnecessary pain to repair the errors of the previous doctor.
Choose your doctor carefully
To avoid being a victim of medical errors, it’s crucial to do some research to find a trustworthy healthcare provider and a hospital with a great reputation. So, consider making a list of doctors in your area to have multiple options and try to contact patients who have had an experience with them, considering also the feedback on the platforms online.
Collect as much information as possible about the doctor you are considering, such as their education and qualifications, office policies and procedures, and opt for the most experienced one who has a full history of successful interventions.
Provide your full medical history
To make sure you receive the right treatment, it’s crucial to provide your doctor with your full medical history so that they can identify the possible causes of your current symptoms and associate them with the proper medication and actions to take.
Also, the medical history of a patient helps caregivers to identify patterns even before the symptoms of a disease appear, and the risk factors also considering the family history of heart disease, and the professional is able to recommend changes in the lifestyle, regular screening and prevention measures to avoid nourishing the main issue.
You can get personalised treatment by taking into consideration all the personal aspects of your health because, in medicine, a one-size-fits-all approach is not possible.
Get a second opinion
To make sure you get the right diagnosis, consider getting a second opinion from another caregiver. Since errors are very common in the medical field, make sure you prevent further issues or getting improper treatment and find a second doctor who could answer all your questions and investigate your case again.
No matter what your health issue is, it would be best to have a backup plan ready because, after all, doctors are humans too, and they might look at things from a different perspective, hold into different beliefs and give their patients what they think would work best for them missing some crucial aspects and details about the case.
Take a trusted person with you
Having medical issues Is stressful, so you might want to take someone you trust to your appointments to make sure everything goes smoothly and you don’t get lost in your mind through the process. Someone you love or someone close to you can be your advocate, helping you go through your illness when you feel overwhelmed and lonely.
Also, the person you decide to take with you can be a witness to the investigation, and a second pair of eyes and ears can be helpful in the case of malpractice when further investigation on your case occurs for the court claim.
The bottom line
Being the victim of medical negligence can surely be overwhelming and painful and can impact your life long-term. So, we hope this article encourages you to take the right actions to prevent such a terrible situation and that you know you are aware of the obligations of your healthcare provider and your rights as a patient.