In healthcare, getting the right diagnosis is very important. It can mean the difference between getting better quickly or suffering for a long time. In the worst cases, it can even be a matter of life and death.
Sadly, mistakes in diagnosing are more common than you might think, and they can seriously harm patients’ health. Studies show that as many as 795,000 people die or suffer major health problems each year because of these mistakes. What are the common problems patients face when doctors don’t diagnose them correctly?
Worsened health due to delayed treatment
One of the biggest problems with misdiagnosis is that it can delay the right treatment. When doctors don’t correctly figure out what’s wrong, they might put off the treatment or not give it at all. This delay lets the illness get worse without control. Patients might end up with more severe symptoms or even new health issues.
In illnesses like cancer, where treating quickly is key, waiting too long can make treatments less effective and lower the chances of survival. Studies show that even a delay of four weeks can greatly increase the risk of death.
Unnecessary treatment
Misdiagnosis can also lead patients to get treatments they do not need, which can be harmful. These unnecessary treatments can cause side effects that would not have happened if the diagnosis had been right from the start.
For example, if a doctor wrongly diagnoses a patient with a bacterial infection, they might give that patient antibiotics. However, these drugs will not work on viral infections and can lead to antibiotic resistance and other negative effects on the patient’s body.
Psychological stress
Getting the wrong diagnosis can be very stressful for patients. They might feel more anxious, stressed, and lose trust in the medical system. This loss of trust can make them hesitant to seek more medical help or follow the treatments they’re given. This can create a cycle where they don’t get the care they need, making their health problems even worse.
Financial strain
Misdiagnosis does not just affect health; it can also be costly for both patients and the healthcare system. Patients might have to pay for treatments they did not need, extra tests and lose money from not being able to work because of their illness.
Luckily, patients who are harmed by misdiagnosis do not have to face these challenges alone. They can file a medical malpractice lawsuit to get financial help and hold healthcare providers accountable for their mistakes.