Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Tips for patients to help ensure an accurate diagnosis

Martine Ehrenclou, MA
Patient
October 14, 2015
Share
Tweet
Share

If you weren’t aware of the prevalence and severity of diagnostic errors, (misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, delayed diagnosis) maybe you should be now.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a new report called, Improving Diagnosis in Health Care. The report cited that most people will experience one or more diagnostic errors over their lifetimes. It also revealed that diagnostic errors contribute to 10 percent of patient deaths and account for up to 17 percent of hospital adverse events. In addition, diagnostic errors are the leading type of paid medical malpractice claims. Because of a scarcity of reporting and research on diagnostic errors, those numbers might be very conservative.

According to a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety, “The frequency of diagnostic errors in outpatient care,” diagnostic errors affect at least 1 in 20 U.S. adults or approximately 20 million adults every year.

It happened to me. Ten times to be exact. During a 16-month, severe chronic pain condition, I received ten misdiagnoses from 11 physicians. Along with the ten misdiagnoses came 15 procedures and tests. Luckily, I found my own diagnosis in a New York Times article, “In Women, Hernias May Be Hidden Agony.” The surgeon and hernia specialist featured in the article, Shirin Towfigh, MD, diagnosed me correctly and performed 3-hour surgery to repair a muscle tear in my C-section site and an inguinal hernia with a nerve pinched in the hole. I’ve been pain-free for over four years and I am very grateful to her.

Arriving at a diagnosis can be an elusive process, not always easily uncovered through physical exams or tests. The IOM report produced a number of recommendations for clinicians and insurers to improve diagnosis. The report also emphasized the importance of patient and family collaboration with their doctors.

As a patient, you are in partnership with your doctor. To be an effective team player you need to be an active participant in your care, not simply a passive recipient. If you aren’t feeling well enough to be proactive and collaborate with your doctor, ask a loved one to assist.

Tips to help ensure an accurate diagnosis

Symptom diary

Before you see your doctor, create a symptom diary. Document your symptoms in a notebook, on your smartphone or other electronic device. Answer these questions:

  1. What are your symptoms?
  2. Where are they located?
  3. What makes your symptoms worse or better, such as exercise or eating a meal?
  4. Time of day your symptoms are better or worse?
  5. Was there a physical event or new medication associated with the onset of your symptoms?
  6. What you have tried to alleviate your symptoms? Was anything successful?
  7. If pain accompanies your symptoms or pain is the symptom, track it. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst, document it daily.
  8. Bring your symptom diary with you to see your doctor and discuss it with him/her.

List of questions before you see your doctor

Create a list of questions before you see your doctor. This allows you to think about what you need to focus on. Document the answers and other information the doctor explains.

You are given a new diagnosis

If you are given a new diagnosis from your doctor, consider asking these questions:

  1. What is my diagnosis and what does it mean?
  2. Are there any other possible diagnoses?
  3. How did you arrive at this diagnosis? (i.e., test results, physical exam, radiology report, etc.)
  4. What is my treatment plan?
  5. When do I follow up with you about my treatment plan?

If you suspect a misdiagnosis

If your treatment is not helping your symptoms, discuss it with your doctor.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s possible that there is an alternate treatment that might work better for you.

Ask your doctor if it’s possible that you might have a different diagnosis.

Ask that tests be repeated or read by a different clinician

Tests can be wrong, or they can be read incorrectly. Ask that tests be done a second time or read by another doctor. Some doctors just read the radiology reports from imaging studies you’ve had. Ask that your doctor or another doctor to read the actual tests.

Get copies of your medical records

Obtain copies of your pertinent tests such as MRI, CT scan, x-ray, blood test results, surgery/op report.

Get a second opinion

Patients are sometimes afraid to get second opinions. Please don’t be. It is your right and should not offend any medical professional.

  • Ask a doctor and/or RN you respect and have confidence in to recommend a specialist.
  • Contact your loved ones and colleagues for a recommendation for a respected physician to see for a second opinion. You will see some of the same names duplicated.
  • Bring copies of your pertinent medical records such as MRI, CT scan, x-ray, surgery report, and blood test results, to each visit with a doctor.

Research a diagnosis

If you are informed about your diagnosis, you will be better prepared to ask questions. Go to credible websites such as:

  • medical schools, medical societies or academies
  • disease organizations
  • government websites

Bring a loved one with you

It’s not easy for anyone to correctly remember medical information explained by a doctor. Especially if you aren’t feeling well. Bring a loved one with you to each appointment with a doctor. Ask that person to take notes. You can review the information at a later time.

Martine Ehrenclou is a patient advocate.  She is the author of Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive and the Take-Charge Patient.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Who's to blame for the price Daraprim? It's not who you think.

October 14, 2015 Kevin 2
…
Next

The day I went to work and met a real vampire

October 15, 2015 Kevin 2
…

Tagged as: Hospital-Based Medicine, Malpractice

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Who's to blame for the price Daraprim? It's not who you think.
Next Post >
The day I went to work and met a real vampire

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Martine Ehrenclou, MA

  • How empathy can help physician burnout

    Martine Ehrenclou, MA
  • Don’t secretly record your doctor. Do this instead.

    Martine Ehrenclou, MA
  • How cash-pay patients can beat high-deductible plans

    Martine Ehrenclou, MA

Related Posts

  • Patients don’t need quick diagnoses. They need accurate ones.

    Denise Reich
  • 4 tips for better communication with patients

    Subha Mohan
  • Are patients using social media to attack physicians?

    David R. Stukus, MD
  • 10 tips to help patients through benzodiazepine withdrawal

    Christy Huff, MD
  • Retrospective refusal of payment based upon final diagnosis compromises patients’ welfare

    David Hoke, MD, MBE, Kenneth V. Iserson, MD, MBA, and Jesse Basford, MD
  • You are abandoning your patients if you are not active on social media

    Pat Rich

More in Patient

  • AI’s role in streamlining colorectal cancer screening [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • There’s no one to drive your patient home

    Denise Reich
  • Dying is a selfish business

    Nancie Wiseman Attwater
  • A story of a good death

    Carol Ewig
  • We are warriors: doctors and patients

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Patient care is not a spectator sport

    Jim Sholler
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • How inspiration and family stories shape our most meaningful moments

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A day in the life of a WHO public health professional in Meghalaya, India

      Dr. Poulami Mazumder | Physician
    • Why women doctors are still mistaken for nurses

      Emma Fenske, DO | Physician
    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 114 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • How inspiration and family stories shape our most meaningful moments

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A day in the life of a WHO public health professional in Meghalaya, India

      Dr. Poulami Mazumder | Physician
    • Why women doctors are still mistaken for nurses

      Emma Fenske, DO | Physician
    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Tips for patients to help ensure an accurate diagnosis
114 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...