Though the common perception is that medical errors are few and far between, recent studies seem to indicate otherwise. One report found that nearly every American will receive an incorrect diagnosis at some point in their lives. Medical industry watchdogs say the factors that most often contribute to misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose are:
Far too often, according to much research, doctors and nurses don’t include the patient in critical discussions, and they make diagnostic assessments without gathering adequate information from the patient. Researchers stress the need to talk directly to the patient and learn about symptoms, rather than simply relying on medical tests.
Far too often, according to much research, doctors and nurses don’t include the patient in critical discussions, and they make diagnostic assessments without gathering adequate information from the patient. Researchers stress the need to talk directly to the patient and learn about symptoms, rather than simply relying on medical tests.
The studies have not been limited to misdiagnoses, though. One report found that in one of every 10,000 surgeries, some tool or product is wrongfully left in a body cavity, and that surgeons perform the wrong surgery or operate on the wrong body part in one of every 100,000 cases. Critics say the reasons for such errors mirror those for misdiagnosis — poor communication, overworked doctors and a “hush-hush” atmosphere about mistakes.
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