If Your Illness Has Been Misdiagnosed or Your Doctor is Ignoring Your Health Concerns Take Proactive Action

You want to be able to trust your doctor, but everyone makes mistakes sometimes. A 2014 study reported that approximately 12 million adults who seek outpatient medical care are misdiagnosed in the United States yearly. 

That is about 1 in 12 adult patients being affected, and researchers say in half of those cases, the misdiagnosis can result in severe harm. The study focused on those in hospitals, but the researchers indicate that many patients are being misdiagnosed in outpatient clinics and doctors' offices.

Hardeep Singh, M.D., M.P.H., a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine and co-author of the study, said that not only are misdiagnoses being made, but often that doctor is unaware of the error. He says patients may go to another doctor later and get correctly diagnosed, but the original doctor is unaware. 

Say you come in complaining of left leg pain and swelling and I think you have arthritis, and then three days later it turns out you had a blood clot. If you went to see another doctor or went to an emergency room, I might never know that I made an error.

These misdiagnoses are also costly.

"Take for example the patient with the clot in his leg," says Singh. "If that clot later travels to his lung and he has to be hospitalized for 10 days, we are adding financial cost to the psychological and health-related impact of that error."

What can you do if your injury or illness has been misdiagnosed?

Request Your Medical Records

Occasionally, doctors make snap diagnoses based on assumptions about your lifestyle. Sometimes, a doctor dismisses your complaints or recommends a simple "solution" to help alleviate your symptoms without appropriate testing.

The process of formulating a diagnosis is called clinical decision making. Not every doctor is good at "listening," nor is every doctor an expert at clinical decision making. Doctors are also human and sometimes have internal biases that can impact their ability to listen or take a patient seriously. This attitude can be unhelpful at best and outright harmful at worst.

If you disagree with your doctor's diagnosis, or your symptoms don't go away, and your doctor seems unwilling to take you seriously or suggest other tests or treatments, it is time to be more proactive with your doctor or seek a second opinion.   

Make it clear that you'd like to be an active participant in your treatment and that you are interested in the reasoning behind the diagnosis. Your proactive attitude may call their bluff, encouraging them to dig deeper in search of a real solution to your problem.

Seek a Second Opinion

Ask for copies of medical records, testing, and any lab work they ordered. Today, many people can directly access their records through an online portal; otherwise, you can request your records.

Make an appointment with another doctor who specializes in treating the health problems you're experiencing. Talk to your new doctor about your original diagnosis and explain why you suspect it is incorrect. They may order more tests and monitor your condition to see if it worsens.

If you undergo treatment for a condition you don't think you have, your health may not get any better. In fact, it may get worse. Keep a record of your treatments and medications and what they do—or don't do—for you.

Talking about your health means sharing information about how you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally. Learning to explain your symptoms and bring up other concerns will help you become a partner in your health care.

The National Institute on Aging suggests you organize your questions and information when talking with your physician - Talking With Your Doctor - Worksheets.

Consult a Lawyer

Has your health worsened since your suspected misdiagnosis, or has your doctor ignored your health concerns? If you're racking up medical bills for ineffective, or even counterproductive, treatment, talk to an attorney about potential legal recourse; you shouldn't have to pay for your doctor's mistake.

An attorney specializing in medical negligence and malpractice cases will listen to your story and advise you on whether or not you have a valid case. Misdiagnosis does occasionally constitute malpractice, but not in every case; always consult with an expert before taking legal action.

If you suspect your illness has been misdiagnosed, you can do plenty of things to protect yourself or a loved one. Keep in mind that in-home care providers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities have a duty to provide quality care. Any potential abuse or mistreatment should be addressed as well.

Be wary of following the medical advice of a doctor who doesn't listen to you and seek opinions from other medical and legal experts. Advocate for yourself and your health above all!