12 million Americans Misdiagnosed (pain, blood pressure, surgery, doctor)
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It used to be it was recommended to get a second opinion for surgery but now I'm thinking it should be for even taking meds. I know this would be economically impossible for most but it is scary to read stories like this. And i don't doubt it. I almost lost my life 20 years ago to extremely ignorant misdiagnosis. Remember...not every doctor is worthy of our respect or attention and half of them graduated in the bottom half of their class. That doesn't necessarily mean they are bad doctors but I would certainly rather go to the docs who paid enough attention or were smart enough to finish at the top.
One of the nice things about being a nurse in a mid-sized town is knowing who exactly to go to with a medical problem and who to tell my friends & family to avoid.
This problem is getting worse with computerized medical records. A "guess" as to what is wrong is entered into your medical record, then STAYS THERE forever! Later another doctor learns the problem is something else - but no one ever removes the initial incorrect "guess" diagnosis!
For example I had a chest pains which they later figured out was bleeding in my esophagus. But the ER initially entered Heart Attack in my medical record. That was a good guess and good to check that out to be sure that was not the problem. But after I had my heart thoroughly checked and they determined there was NO PROBLEM with it, there is still a diagnosis in my computerized medical record for Heart Attack!
After telling them 6 times that entry was not correct and their inability to remove it, I have switched to another medical provider who is able to keep accurate medical records.
Note many providers allow you to set up an account where you can see your test results and current medical issues - limited medical records. (Called "MyChart", "PatientConnection", etc.) Do set up an account and see if there are any errors...
so why can't we see our entire medical records? I would certainly want to know what my doc was saying about me. I know some shorthand would be difficult to understand but it should be available to each patient.
Years ago I talked to a doctor who had a patient who "snuck" into her own mchart when the doc had to leave the room. When doc came back patient was pale and obviously upset. She challenged the doc :"Why did you say I act like a child?"
Doc was perplexed and upon further communication found out the patient read " T&A as a child "(tonsils and adenoids (removed) as child to be Talks and Acts like a child. Patient was elementary school teacher and this was regular abbreviation for her field.
It used to be it was recommended to get a second opinion for surgery but now I'm thinking it should be for even taking meds. I know this would be economically impossible for most but it is scary to read stories like this. And i don't doubt it. I almost lost my life 20 years ago to extremely ignorant misdiagnosis. Remember...not every doctor is worthy of our respect or attention and half of them graduated in the bottom half of their class. That doesn't necessarily mean they are bad doctors but I would certainly rather go to the docs who paid enough attention or were smart enough to finish at the top.
I check and double check everything coming from the DR whether it be serious or simple. Also double check pharmacist- loads of room for error. Also philosophies may vary in terms of aggressive treatment, more natural treatment and so on. You know your body and your history better than anyone. I choose to act on a diagnosis only when I'm convinced- obviously in an emergency situation you're forced to rely on them and trust they're correct!
Right now the medical establishment is getting more and more "one size fits all" with their timelines for automatic testing, etc.
so why can't we see our entire medical records? I would certainly want to know what my doc was saying about me. I know some shorthand would be difficult to understand but it should be available to each patient...
You can see your entire record which would include comments by physicians. But they would probably charge you a fee per page for copying. Just ask at medical records.
Also many times the doctors notes are in medical mumbo jumbo which no one but Einstein would understand.
As for myself, I am MOST concerned with the "summary" of my medical issues. That will say things like, smoker, past smoker, heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, bleeding in stomach, etc.
If it says Heart Attack and I don't have a heart problem, I could go to the ER bleeding internally and they might waste a lot of valuable time messing with my heart instead of realizing it could be an internal bleeding problem.
When you go to the ER, they are going to briefly read a summary of your medical diagnosis, not read pages and pages of past doctor's comments. If it is an emergency, they don't have time.
You can see your entire record which would include comments by physicians. But they would probably charge you a fee per page for copying. Just ask at medical records.
Also many times the doctors notes are in medical mumbo jumbo which no one but Einstein would understand.
As for myself, I am MOST concerned with the "summary" of my medical issues. That will say things like, smoker, past smoker, heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, bleeding in stomach, etc.
If it says Heart Attack and I don't have a heart problem, I could go to the ER bleeding internally and they might waste a lot of valuable time messing with my heart instead of realizing it could be an internal bleeding problem.
When you go to the ER, they are going to briefly read a summary of your medical diagnosis, not read pages and pages of past doctor's comments. If it is an emergency, they don't have time.
my dad has been trying for 2 years to get his records from a rheumatologist, to no avail. We've called and written letters-to no avail.
IMO the issue with misdiagnoses is more about doctors who DO NOT LISTEN to their patients. They make an assumption based on initial, limited information and then move on from there. They treat symptoms or check boxes but don't treat the patient and their specific problems.
With all the technology at our fingertips, many folks are able to asses their symptoms and other medical issues and probably have a pretty good idea of their own diagnosis before they even go to the doctor. (I know I've done that several times). If the doctor would only listen to me instead of worrying about being right, I might have been out of pain or discomfort a lot quicker.
While seeing a physician who shares space with another physician, he was reading my chart from the other doc. He smiled and asked me what I did before retiring. Later, I asked the other doc what she wrote in my chart to cause him to ask me that question as he'd never before done that. She said she said nothing about me other than her findings re my health. She immediately turned to screen for me to see for myself. So, why he asked me, I'll never know, other than at some time or another I've mentioned being an artist and he went on to tell about his daughter also being an artist. Like me, an artist who hadn't made a living as an artist. lol
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