And what can I do if I think my physician in Cedar Rapids, IA provided me with poor advice that led to me suffering?
Doctors are professionals who go through extensive training and years’ worth of schooling to learn how to properly care for and provide advice to the patients they will see. Iowans rely on their physicians to provide them with accurate information when they are sick, want to improve their health, or mend the injuries they suffered in an accident. But doctors are not all of the same caliber. Some are more caring and knowledgeable while others are less concerned with providing quality care and more concerned with collecting a paycheck.
Sometimes you might seek treatment from a doctor who will take the time to assess your medical history and condition to formulate a diagnosis, and other times, you might receive care from a physician who appears to jot down only a few notes and have you in and out of their treatment room in a matter of minutes.
So, which doctor do you listen to? Are both types capable of providing you with an accurate diagnosis and helpful advice?
The reality is, regardless of how much time a physician spends treating you, any doctor is capable of making a mistake and steering you in the wrong direction. Now, there are a few things Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and writer for Forbes has shared that may be able to help you decide whether you should follow the advice a physician provides you with or obtain a second opinion from another trained professional. We have highlighted these tips for you down below.
When your physician has done all of the following, McClanahan says you are probably good to follow through on the advice they give:
- They have “taken the time to get to know you and your complete history.”
- They “explained thoroughly the approach to your illness.”
- He/she “answered all your questions and allayed your concerns.”
If your physician was unable to do all of the following during your visit, you might consider questioning them some more or seeking advice from a new physician.
Tip: McClanahan says that if there is something the doctor has done or said that doesn’t quite “sit right with you,” don’t be afraid to voice your concerns. “Whether it be a worry about side effects, cost of treatment, or feeling you want to try something else like diet, exercise, or alternative medicine, it is important for [him/her] to be aware of your concerns or plans.”
Communication is key when meeting with a doctor regarding an illness, health condition, or medical issue.
Although there are some doctors who may be able to provide you with advice after only meeting with you for a few minutes and reviewing your medical history, you should communicate your concerns with him/her to be sure they understand what is happening with you and what you are looking to achieve as a result of visiting with them. The last thing anyone wants is to follow the wrong advice that causes them to suffer in a worse way than they already are or develop a new condition that requires them to seek additional care.
McClanahan shared a story about a man with moderately advanced ALS who was told he may only have two to three years left to live. He had been scheduled for a screening colonoscopy by his clinic as his insurer required his physician to provide him with preventative care. McClanahan said that the man did not question his doctor but shared with his family that he was undergoing a colonoscopy prep the night before the procedure. The man’s family ended up canceling the appointment and realized that their family member was “in need of an advocate with him at all times to question protocol.”
Rather than assume your physician knows what symptoms you are experiencing, what conditions you have suffered from in the past, and what you are looking to achieve, it is best to bring this to their attention during your visit to assure they are aware of all of this.
I think my doctor provided me with bad advice and I am now suffering from a serious medical condition. What should I do?
We recommend you contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. to speak with a Cedar Rapids, IA personal injury attorney. You may have a medical malpractice case against the physician, although we won’t know until we have had the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss what happened and the current issues you are experiencing. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers in Cedar Rapids, IA contact us now at (319) 393-1020.
You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000
Website: www.eellsandtronvold.com
