We put a lot of faith into our healthcare system and the professionals who provide our care. We trust them when they diagnose us with a medical condition and when they tell us everything looks good.
A misdiagnosis and a missed diagnosis sound similar but refer to two different situations. However, both could have the same result, which is death.
Misdiagnosis
A misdiagnosis occurs when your healthcare provider diagnoses you with a condition you don’t have, which can lead to more doctor’s visits, more extended hospital stays and inappropriate or ineffective treatment.
Examples of misdiagnosis could be determining a patient has acid reflux when, in reality, they have suffered a heart attack. Or, a malignant tumor might be misidentified as a benign cyst, resulting in a lack of necessary cancer treatment.
In a recent study, it was found that tens of thousands of emergency room patients are misdiagnosed each year, with stroke and sepsis being the most common. Furthermore, women and people of color are 20% to 30% more likely to be misdiagnosed.
Missed diagnosis
A missed diagnosis happens when your healthcare provider fails to identify any condition at all. They may overlook your symptoms or fail to recognize the presence of an underlying disease. Cancer is often missed, with colorectal, lung and breast cancer being the three most commonly overlooked.
Common causes of both misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis include:
- Failing to order the appropriate diagnostic tests
- Cognitive bias
- Complex symptoms that mimic other diseases
- Inattentive healthcare providers who rush through appointments or fail to take a comprehensive medical history
- Lack of follow-up on abnormal tests or failure to monitor ongoing symptoms
Misdiagnosis could lead to overwhelming medical debt and financial hardship, the worsening of a condition the patient does have, or even death. Anyone who has suffered harm due to their healthcare provider’s errors should discuss their situation with someone who can review their case and see if they have been the victim of medical malpractice. No amount of money can give them back their health or a loved one they lost. However, the compensation can help with pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.
