Study Reveals Doctors Hide Medical Negligence from Patients
We visit our doctor’s office for treatment when suffering an injury, illness, or chronic medical condition. Based on their training and experience, we tend to take it for granted that they will make a correct diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment. In fact, doctors are not immune to making medical mistakes and errors that could put a patient’s health in jeopardy. Unfortunately, a new study reveals that a significant percentage of physicians are unwilling to own up to their mistakes due to fears of medical malpractice claims and poor patient reviews, and may even attempt to hide these errors of medical negligence from patients.
Doctors Who Hide Mistakes From Patients
Medscape reports that a 2016 study of common practices among health care provides indicates that close to ten percent of all doctors feel it is perfectly acceptable to lie to a patient when a medical negligence occurs. Nearly 15 percent say they might be willing to lie or withhold the truth depending on the circumstances involved. This represents a dramatic increase over previous years. In 2010, only five percent of all doctors admitted to engaging in these types of practices. In most cases, fear of poor reviews that impact their business and medical malpractice claims are the motivating factors.
The general public has become more aware of situations in which medical mistakes occur after studies from Johns Hopkins University shed alarming light on the subject. In 2016, it was revealed that roughly 10 percent of all fatalities in the United States were due to medical errors, making it the lead leading cause of death and the most underreported. Common types of mistakes doctors may try to lie about or hide from patients include:
- Medical misdiagnosis, in which they fail to detect symptoms or attribute them to other causes, thereby delaying treatment.
- Surgical errors, which can involve performing the wrong procedure or operations on the wrong patients.
- Medication mistakes, which can occur when doctors order the wrong medication or in the wrong amount. This also happens when they fail to consider dangerous drug interactions or the patient’s overall health condition.
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Patients Encouraged To Be Vigilant Concerning Medical Negligence
According to Consumer Reports, doctors often make medical mistakes and errors due to incomplete charts, rushed office visits, and a lack of consultation with other health providers. To protect themselves, patients are advised to do the following:
- Review medical records to ensure information is correct.
- Make sure your doctor is aware of other providers you see and medications you take.
- Speak up in appointments about symptoms or reactions you experience.
- Do not hesitate to get a second opinion if you have doubts.
Contact A Medical Negligence Attorney
Contact Anastopoulo Law Firm immediately if you suspect medical negligence has occurred. We can arrange a free consultation with our South Carolina medical malpractice attorney to discuss your condition and any injuries you suffered.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
