3 Ways to Avoid a Delayed Diagnosis

Preventive medicine is an essential component of quality health care. It is so important, in fact, that the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) considers it to be a unique specialty.

Unlike other specialties, though, preventive care is one of the few in which the patients have nearly as much influence over the outcome of their care as their providers. At the end of the day, prioritizing health is up to the patient, and no doctor can force you to schedule regular health screenings.

Although comprehensive preventive care can reduce the risk of medical malpractice by eliminating the need for an invasive procedure, anyone can fall victim to a delayed diagnosis. It may not sound as serious as a surgical error or medication mistake, but a delayed diagnosis can still be life threatening because many diseases require early detection to ensure a favorable prognosis.

If you believe you were the victim of a delayed diagnosis and you incurred damages as a result, contact The Bowling Law Firm. David A. Bowling can assess your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice attorney in Baton Rouge.

Read on to learn how you can avoid falling victim to a delayed diagnosis:

1. Visit the Same Provider for All Your Health Screenings

Unless you relocate frequently, it is wise to visit the same healthcare provider for every physical exam and screening. When you see the same doctor, he or she will get to know you over time and may be more likely to notice any abnormalities. If you visit a different provider every time you are due for a screening, that same familiarity will not exist and a delayed diagnosis may be more likely.

2. Review Your Family’s Medical History

Knowing your family’s medical history will allow your primary care provider to determine what kinds of diseases you may be at risk of and then monitor you for their most subtle signs and symptoms. Diseases that can arise as the result of both gene mutations and environmental factors include:

• Hypertension;
• Alzheimer’s disease;
• Heart disease;
• Diabetes;
• Arthritis; and
• Cancer.

3. Seek a Second Opinion

If you are suffering from distinctive symptoms but your healthcare provider fails to arrive at a diagnosis after conducting one or more tests, you may want to consider seeking a second opinion. You may also want to visit a different provider if your doctor determines a diagnosis that does not align with any the results of any research you have conducted on the subject.

Sadly, patients can follow all the tips above and still end up the victims of medical malpractice. If you are suffering from a condition or disease that your doctor failed to diagnose in a reasonable amount of time, contact The Bowling Law Firm.

David A. Bowling is a compassionate medical malpractice lawyer in Baton Rouge who has more than three decades of trial experience. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a case evaluation. If you want to learn more about medical malpractice claims in Louisiana, visit usattorneys.com/medical-malpractice/louisiana.