By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Seven Ways to Protect Yourself From Medical Malpractice
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Seven Ways to Protect Yourself From Medical Malpractice
Policy & Law

Seven Ways to Protect Yourself From Medical Malpractice

Christrob
Last updated: October 18, 2021 7:33 pm
Christrob
Share
8 Min Read
Medical Malpractice Paperwork On Legal Papers
SHARE

Unfortunately, medical malpractice is more common than you think. Victims aren’t usually compensated either. An astonishing 65 percent of malpractice claims are withdrawn, with only 27 percent of the total claims being settled.

Contents
Research Your DoctorsBe Upfront and Honest About Your Health HistoryDon’t Be Afraid to Slow DownBring Someone With You to Your AppointmentsGet a Second OpinionEducate Yourself on Your ConditionTrust Your Gut

The last thing you want is to be a victim of medical malpractice. Not only can it affect the quality of your life in the long-term, dealing with negligent doctors and working with attorneys can be time consuming and expensive.

Save yourself the trouble by protecting yourself from medical malpractice in the first place.

Research Your Doctors

Did you know you can research your doctors? Most people just accept that their doctor is a knowledgeable expert, but it makes sense that you would want to do a little digging when you’re ready to see a new doctor, or you want to know more about your current doctor. After all, you probably do your research when it comes to new windows, appliance replacements, and contractors!

More Read

8 Things CFOs Must Know About Health Reform
Media Begin Focus on Next Iteration of ACA
Preclinical Research: An Important Aspect of Drug Development
Handling HIPAA Rules In Sports: Why Athlete Privacy Matters
Smiles Make the World Go Around

It’s easier to research your doctor than you think. Spending a little time searching on the internet will uncover important information like:

  • Licensure
  • Board certification
  • Medical school and residency
  • Actions against the doctor
  • Hospital affiliations

There are other bits of information you’ll want to consider as you’re doing your research. For example, you may want to know if your doctor is older, which could mean they are more experienced. You may want to consider how long they have been practicing medicine, and you may want to search social media. You can uncover the doctor’s personality to see if they seem like someone you can trust.

Be Upfront and Honest About Your Health History

Don’t assume your doctor knows your health history already. We’re a long way away from having a singular database that all doctors can access at any time. Chances are, you’ve had tests, diagnoses, and procedures done with other doctors that your current doctor doesn’t know about.

Make sure all of your medical records are transferred from previous doctors to your current doctor, and don’t shy away from being brutally honest with them about your health habits. Your doctor isn’t there to judge you if you just can’t seem to stop smoking, if you drink more than you should, or if you rely on pain killers to get through the day. By being completely transparent, your doctor is a lot less likely to recommend the wrong treatment plan or prescribe the wrong medicine.

Don’t Be Afraid to Slow Down

Feel like your doctor is rushing you out the door? You aren’t imagining things. Doctors feel like they have to rush through appointments in order to meet with enough patients to make a profit and keep their practice open at the end of the day.

If your doctor rushes you out the door before you’ve had a chance to ask your questions, they are more likely to make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to slow down and ask all the questions you have, even if your doctor seems rushed.

If you’re having trouble getting attention from your doctor, you can request a longer appointment time. You can also consider scheduling your appointment in the morning before your doctor gets behind.

Bring Someone With You to Your Appointments

You aren’t alone if there are things you want to ask or talk about with your doctor, but your nerves get the better of you, and before you know it, you’re leaving the office without asking your doctor what you wanted to talk about.

Bringing someone with you can help. They can help you settle your nerves in the waiting room, or they can come back to the exam room with you to ensure you ask your questions.

It also lets the doctor know that others are keeping an eye on your care. Your doctor is more likely to pay attention to your case if you have someone with you than if you come to your appointment alone.

Get a Second Opinion

We expect doctors to be informed and intelligent. They are, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes.

Make sure any diagnosis is backed up with a second opinion. A second doctor can confirm your diagnosis, or they may offer a different take on your condition, helping you to avoid an unnecessary procedure.

A second opinion also gives you the chance to meet another doctor who may end up providing you with better care.

Educate Yourself on Your Condition

It’s not a good idea to Google your health symptoms, but that doesn’t mean doing a little health research is all bad. After you have been diagnosed, go online and search for information about your condition.

Just make sure you research carefully. A few tips for making sure you find accurate information about your diagnosis online include:

  • Avoid researching information on websites that also have stores
  • Don’t research information that comes from influencers
  • When Googling, also include the name of a medical professional society when searching
  • Research sources to see if they are qualified medical experts

By researching the ins and outs of your condition, you can have informed conversations with your doctor, lessening the chance of receiving the wrong medical care.

Trust Your Gut

Have a gut feeling that your diagnosis or prescription isn’t right? Pay attention to that feeling. It doesn’t necessarily mean you should stop taking your medication or cancel your surgery, but it does mean you should take a deeper dive into why you’re feeling the way you’re feeling.

Is it truly a gut feeling, or are you just feeling anxious? Does the feeling persist without going away? Do you still feel the same way after thinking and researching? If so, it might be time to rethink your doctor, your diagnosis, or your care.

Doctors always try to do their best, but they are only human, and humans can make mistakes. Unfortunately, one simple mistake can have disastrous consequences. Guard yourself from medical malpractice by being your best advocate with the tips on this list.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

The True Impact of the SCOTUS ACA Decision Will Rest with Voters

June 20, 2012

Social Media Safety: Virtual Connections Provide Realtime Results

October 23, 2014
food education
Public HealthWellness

Bring Food Education Back!

September 14, 2013
Image
Policy & Law

Denying care? Concerns with Oregon’s Medicaid Coverage Guidelines

September 30, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?