Diagnostic errors are a relatively common form of medical malpractice despite advances in diagnostic technology. Some patients seeking medical care struggle to even understand what causes their symptoms due to mistakes by their physicians.
Physicians have to evaluate symptoms and determine what likely caused them. The diagnostic process is critical for ensuring that a patient receives appropriate treatment. That way, they can address the underlying medical condition that causes the symptoms, rather than simply trying to manage their symptoms.
Professionals analyzing medical errors typically classify diagnostic errors into two main categories. Both the failure to diagnose patients and the misdiagnosis of patients are relatively common. Understanding the difference between the two can be beneficial for those who may have experienced medical malpractice.
Misdiagnosis involves reaching the wrong conclusion
Misdiagnosis is relatively common. An individual might present roughly the same symptoms when they have a viral respiratory infection and when they are in the early stages of lung cancer development. Misdiagnosis can be devastating for patients, as they may receive treatment that they do not actually require and not the treatment that could help address their symptoms.
The failure to diagnose is also common
When a doctor fails to diagnose a patient, they do not reach a diagnostic conclusion. They might tell the patient that the symptoms are in their head, when in reality they have irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia that causes them debilitating pain.
Failure to diagnose often occurs because of communication issues, inadequate testing or a doctor allowing their bias about certain groups to affect how much they trust their patients. The failure to diagnose a patient means that they do not receive treatment to control their symptoms.
Diagnostic errors can lead to a far worse prognosis for the patient involved. In many cases, diagnostic errors only come to light after a person dies and undergoes an autopsy. If another physician with the same information could accurately diagnose the patient, then the misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose that occurred could constitute medical malpractice.
Both patients harmed by diagnostic errors and grieving families mourning a preventable loss may have grounds to take legal action. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in response to diagnostic errors can potentially compensate those affected and may even protect others from experiencing similar mistakes.