Medical Errors – What Do Patients Want to Know?

Having a healthy doctor-patient relationship is one of the most important things to have in medical practice. Apart from the expertise in a specific field of medicine, it is essential to know each patient and keep them in confidence in the process. The same must be ensured on the other side. Patients, too, must have full confidence in their doctors and must be able to share private and sensitive medical information without the fear of getting the information leaked or mislead in any way, shape, or form. However, if people face any issues or medical errors, firms like Jae Lee Law will help.

Patient-Doctor Relationship

Doctor shaking hands to patient in the office

A healthy two-way relationship is suitable for both the doctor and the patient and is also an important element in assuring that the medical clinic’s reputation and authenticity remain intact. As far as a doctor is concerned, they must be very wary of whatever the patient wants to and needs to know. Providing incomplete or wrong information may lead to disruption and other communication problems, especially in the long run. Most importantly, in such a scenario, the patient loses faith in his or her doctor and may opt to go for some other doctor or medical clinic. The question arises: what do the patients want to know?

What Do the Patients Want to Know?

According to different studies and surveys, the most important thing for a patient is the impartial diagnosis of a disease. A patient’s utmost priority is to find out whether any clinical or medical problem exists physiologically. The patients want the doctor to inform them in full detail regarding any problems they might be facing or might face soon. Regardless of the usual utilization of health care, the patients also want complete disclosure if the doctor or the related staff commits any error. It is the medical clinic’s responsibility and the patient’s right to be informed of any medical errors that might occur. Patients also want such errors to be reported to the concerned authorities, so thorough and proper action must be taken against those who commit such errors. This is done to keep the chances of occurring the same error in the future in mind. They believe that usually if strict action is taken, the chances of recurring issues will decrease in the long run. Patients also usually feel that new doctors or fresh graduates must be trained and taught so that they should be able to report medical errors to the patients. Also, there is a common belief that teaching error identification and disclosure techniques coupled with honesty and empathy must be made compulsory at all levels, so the trust factor is not diminished between the doctor and patient. In case of any medical errors, the patient has the right to hire a personal injury lawyer and file a case against the medical organization.