[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/take-control-and-help-prevent-missed-and-delayed-diagnoses\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/take-control-and-help-prevent-missed-and-delayed-diagnoses\/","headline":"Take Control and Help Prevent Missed and Delayed Diagnoses","name":"Take Control and Help Prevent Missed and Delayed Diagnoses","description":"We go to doctors because they are the experts\u2014they have the education and experience we lack when it comes to our health and the complex nature of the human body. But, doctors are human. They make mistakes. Missed and delayed diagnoses are just a few of the medical mistakes that could mean the difference between life and death...","datePublished":"2013-07-12","dateModified":"2025-11-19","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/author\/medmalpractice\/#Person","name":"Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson","url":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/author\/medmalpractice\/","identifier":10,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bc93acd826155387e17c1b11bab540735f6dbf8c8a2b85a2f8f2eeda668152a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bc93acd826155387e17c1b11bab540735f6dbf8c8a2b85a2f8f2eeda668152a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Medmalpractice-Logo-1.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Medmalpractice-Logo-1.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/batz-guide-app-prevent-medical-errors1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/batz-guide-app-prevent-medical-errors1.jpg","height":355,"width":483},"url":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/take-control-and-help-prevent-missed-and-delayed-diagnoses\/","about":["Medical Malpractice Law"],"wordCount":447,"articleBody":"We go to doctors because they are the experts\u2014they have the education and experience we lack when it comes to our health and the complex nature of the human body. But, doctors are human. They make mistakes. Missed and delayed diagnoses are just a few of the medical mistakes that could mean the difference between life and death for patients.An\u00a0estimated 5%\u00a0of autopsies discover an undiagnosed condition that, if treated, may have saved the patient\u2019s life.No one knows your body like you, and when you and your doctor pool your knowledge, the risk of a missed or misdiagnosis is dramatically reduced. In other words, there are things\u00a0you\u00a0can do to help ensure your doctor gets the diagnosis right.The most important aspect of correctly diagnosing a patient is communication. If you don\u2019t tell your doctor the whole story, you can\u2019t expect them to get a full picture. So, tell them everything. Tell them all of your symptoms, even those you don\u2019t think are related. If your doctor seems too rushed to listen, find someone else who will.Don\u2019t diagnose yourself. You may have Google at your fingertips and you can tell your doctor what you\u2019ve found. Doctors have years of education and experience to draw from. Focusing on one diagnosis doesn\u2019t allow you to consider alternatives.If something doesn\u2019t seem right, ask questions and seek another opinion. Shocking test results, for instance, could be flawed. If you\u2019ve never had issues with heart health or blood pressure and the nurse finds your blood pressure elevated, ask her to take it again. Remember, this is\u00a0your\u00a0health and your body. Also, you are the one paying them for their services.Don\u2019t underestimate the benefits of good doctor-patient chemistry. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable with your doctor, you may not tell them everything or believe they have your best interests at heart. But, when you and your doctor are able to talk candidly and you feel like they care, the likelihood of them being truly vested in your diagnosis increases positive results.When it comes right down to it, only the doctor has the medical degree. While you can do everything on your end to help reduce the risk of a wrong diagnosis, it\u2019s ultimately their call.Indiana Medical Malpractice AttorneyThe\u00a0medical malpractice attorney at the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson understands how frustrating and damaging a delayed or missed diagnosis\u00a0can be. If you are the victim of such a medical mistake,\u00a0contact us today to discuss your legal options. We can be reached for a free consultation at 833-4MEDMAL."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Take Control and Help Prevent Missed and Delayed Diagnoses","item":"https:\/\/www.medmalpractice.law\/blog\/take-control-and-help-prevent-missed-and-delayed-diagnoses\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]