Misdiagnosis is a serious concern in Hollywood and across South Florida. When a medical professional misses the signs of a serious illness, patients may not get the treatment they need. Medical malpractice cases in South Florida can also occur when incorrect treatment is given. If the wrong site is operated on or if you are given treatment intended for another patient or another illness you don’t have, you may have a claim.
Overdiagnosis and overtreatment get far less attention, but they are also causes of concern. Overdiagnosis and overtreatment refer to exceedingly vigorous diagnosis and unneeded treatment, which can lead to injury and complications. For example, if a patient has a small thyroid tumor and they are subjected to radiation or chemo when the tumor is benign or unlikely to cause averse effects, the patient may suffer serious complications or injury as a result of the treatment, even though the treatment may not be needed.
Avoiding Overdiagnosis and Treatment
With medical advances, it is more common than ever before to get diagnosed with an illness. Today’s tests can pick up even small variances from what is healthy. However, problems can occur when patients are given aggressive treatment for medical situations which are unlikely to cause any symptoms. In some cases, normal symptoms are pathologized or definitions are expanded so more and more patients are diagnosed with an illness, even if they have minimal or no symptoms. To avoid the negative impact of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, there are a few things you will want to do:
1) Pick medical professionals carefully. Find medical professionals you can trust by interviewing different providers and checking their background to ensure they do not have a history of medical malpractice test.
2) Discuss your need for tests with a physician you trust. Talk to your doctor about the tests you do and don’t need. If you are asked to take a test, be sure you understand the goal of the test.
3) Get the facts about any diagnosis or treatment plan. Understand the possible side effects and any benefits of any treatment and review any diagnosis carefully so you understand what treatment is needed and which treatment may be optional.
4) Seek a second opinion. If you are diagnosed with a serious condition and are prescribed a mode of treatment, get a second opinion from a doctor or specialist you trust. This can help confirm a specific course is needed.
If you have been injured or have suffered damages as a result of misdiagnosis, overtreatment, or incorrect treatment in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to speak with a Hollywood medical malpractice attorney today. Your first consultation with Flaxman Law Group is always free and comes with no obligation.