Health & Wellness
by PinnacleCare Health Advisory
The risk of a medical misdiagnosis is a serious threat. Several studies have highlighted this risk, including an Institute of Medicine study that found that approximately 12 million people in the U.S. who seek outpatient medical care will experience some form of diagnostic error each year.
A misdiagnosis may occur for a number of reasons:
Those three factors play a role in these five commonly misdiagnosed conditions:
How to protect yourself against misdiagnosis
One of the most valuable things you can do to guard against misdiagnosis is to be an engaged and informed patient. Come to your appointment with a list of symptoms, what diagnostic testing you’ve undergone, your family and personal medical history, and a list of any medications you take. A personal health advisor can also be a valuable resource and can accompany you to your appointment and help provide the needed information and ask questions.
When you receive a diagnosis from your doctor, ask these questions:
1. What information led you to my diagnosis and how confident are you in this diagnosis?
2. Is there any information in my medical history that does not fit with the diagnosis?
3. What other condition could reasonably be the cause of my symptoms?
4. Are there any additional diagnostic tests that could confirm or change my diagnosis?
Especially if you are diagnosed with a serious, complex, or rare condition, your next step should be to seek a second opinion from a physician who has broad experience treating the condition. For a cancer diagnosis, it can be helpful to get a second reading of imaging studies and biopsies by an experienced radiologist and pathologist. If surgery is recommended, it can be helpful to also seek a second opinion from a non-surgical specialist, who may suggest other treatment options.
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