Not all errors are preventable, even in the medical field. However, there are some things people can do to reduce their chances of becoming victims of medical malpractice, including:
Do research to understand the medical condition you have been diagnosed with. Knowing about your condition allows you to ask more in-depth questions and have a greater understanding of what the answers actually mean.
Document the symptoms you have been experiencing as you experience them. Include as much detail as possible. This accounting will provide your doctor with a greater amount of information and could help properly diagnose your illness or injury.
Trust your instinct. If you feel like something is wrong with the doctors appointment you are attending or the course of treatment they are recommending, ask questions. If you feel they are not answering your questions to your satisfaction, seek a second opinion.
Take a trusted friend or family member to your doctors appointments with you. The adage, “two heads are better than one,” applies here. Your companion may think of questions to ask that you would not have thought about.
If you feel you are not receiving proper medical care, look for another doctor.