Medical training is thorough and rigorous and anyone who is not committed or up to the level is unlikely to make it through and qualify as a doctor.
Doctors usually don’t work in isolation, either. There is almost always someone on hand that a doctor can consult with if they are unsure about something. Doctors also have access to masses of information on their computers and phones. So, why do doctors still misdiagnose patients?
1. Not getting a full patient history
Doctors are busy, but they must take the time to read their patient’s notes and ask the patient or their family members for other relevant information. A doctor who is too focused on getting through a line of patients might skip over the history and miss vital information that could help them diagnose a condition.
2. Overconfidence
Some doctors project an air of confidence. This is important as patients need to feel they can trust a doctor knows what they are doing. Yet doctors also need the humility to admit when they don’t know or when they are unsure. Some do not listen to advice or ask for help for fear of being seen as weak, or because believe they are better than they are.
3. Not expecting to see a particular condition
The first time you come across something, it can catch you unawares. A doctor who has never seen a patient with a particular condition, or perhaps never even heard of it, may not be expecting to see it. They might mistakenly attribute the symptoms to something else within their range of knowledge.
Failures to diagnose or misdiagnoses can cause patients serious harm. Those affected may want to explore their legal options.
