There are many ways to reduce your risk of suffering from medical malpractice. One of the first things you can do is to make sure your physician is really listening to your concerns. If you feel that he or she is writing off what you’re saying or dismissing your concerns, you may wish to get a second opinion. Sticking with a doctor who doesn’t listen to your needs is bad for you and leads to poor care down the line.
It’s important for you to have realistic expectations, and it’s important for the doctor to give you realistic expectations. If you’re terminally ill, the doctor should not be telling you you’ll be fine next week. It’s important for medical providers to give patients information with the right emphasis, so they know what to expect.
Physicians and medical professionals should always have good etiquette with you. They need to be compliant with medical requirements, too. For example, if you go to a doctor who sneezes into his gloved hands, he should remove those gloves, wash his hands and get a new pair of gloves before he begins treating you. If you notice your doctor making simple errors, it’s a good idea to speak up. Although it may not seem significant, a small error in sanitation techniques can end up causing infection in a patient.
As a patient, you’re your own best advocate. Remember that you can change doctors and speak out if something your doctor is doing seems incorrect. You are the first line of defense against malpractice. If you are hurt despite everything, you can pursue a claim.
Source: Physicians Practice, “Four Ways to Reduce Your Malpractice Risks,” Aubrey Westgate, accessed April 07, 2017
