It is never an easy thing to have to sit and wait in a waiting room. Everyone likes to make an appointment and then be seen on time by their doctor or healthcare professional, especially when having to wait can affect your plans for the rest of the day.
But there is a silver lining to waiting for your turn at the doctor — perhaps it means that your doctor is taking the time to really engage with his or her patients — something that not many doctors are likely to have the time to do with the number of patient visits they must regularly attend to in between surgeries and other professional duties.
According to a New York Times article, doctors spend about an average of seven minutes with each patient. That’s right, about seven minutes.
But is that really enough time for your healthcare professional to sufficiently assess and/or diagnosis your well-being? Most likely not.
On top of doctors quickly working through patients, a lot of those patients that get the time to see their doctor still feel they are being dismissed. Those precious seven minutes turn into the doctor interrupting before the patient gets the opportunity to fully explain what is ailing them.
The Dangers of Dismissive Doctors in South Jersey
Doctors may be too preoccupied with all of the other patients they have yet to see or other cases that need attention. This dismissive attitude is not only rude to patients but can ultimately harm them.
A dismissive doctor can lead to a misdiagnosis, which can greatly change someone’s life. A doctor who is in a rush might miss early signs of cancer. Then, later on down the road, years even, that cancer can develop to a point where it becomes untreatable or terminal.
A dismissive doctor might diagnosis you with a different problem that has similar symptoms to what you really are experiencing. This can lead to incorrect treatments that may harm you and make things worse.
Important Steps to Take During Your Next Doctors Visit
But when it comes down to it, you have the power to engage your doctor. Do not let them dismiss you or misdiagnose you by taking these steps during an appointment with your doctor:
- Ask questions – inquire as to your doctor’s thoughts. Engage and look for answers to any questions that might arise.
- Share your detailed story – be sure to fully explain what happened in detail. Do not just answer your doctor’s questions.
- Be educated – learn all you can about your likely diagnosis before leaving the doctor’s office. Also, know what is likely to come later on down the road and be aware of any possible tests and their purpose
The aforementioned tips are a great way to create and keep an open dialogue with your healthcare professional. Still, there are those who are already undergoing pain and suffering due to a dismissive doctor.
Knowledgeable Medical Malpractice Attorneys Fight for Justice for Clients Hurt by Negligent Doctors in South Jersey
If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed or has suffered an injury due to a doctor negligence then you should contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer at The Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran in New Jersey as soon as possible. Contact our office today at phone number 856-317-6558 or via our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
