Most medical malpractice cases are associated with misdiagnoses (incorrect diagnoses), failures to diagnose, and improperly performed surgeries. But malpractice claims are also brought as a result of doctors who fail to simply listen to their patients. Being sick can be a scary experience. When it is uncertain as to why an illness has occurred, the patient may feel extremely vulnerable. A positive doctor-patient relationship can greatly affect a patient’s health and emotional well-being. For that reason, the success of this relationship is very important.
As with any successful relationship, communication is a necessity. The doctor and the patient must operate as a team. It is critical that the doctor listen, since patients typically are in the best position to know when they are ill. The patient may be able to provide a litany of detailed symptoms that make a diagnosis fairly easy. At other times, the patient may not be able to pinpoint the exact problem, but knows that something “just doesn’t feel right.” Regardless of the abundance or scarcity of the details, a patient has the right to have an attentive doctor who addresses his concerns and communicates as often as necessary so that the patient has a clear understanding regarding his diagnosis and options for treatment.
Unfortunately, not every doctor-patient relationship is a success. There are many reasons why a breakdown can occur, but when the source of the breakdown is the doctor, it is usually for one or more of the following reasons:
- The doctor did not listen to the patient
- The doctor was constantly unavailable to the patient (or spends too little time with the patient)
- The doctor belittled or devalued the views of the patient (or the views of the patient’s family)
- The doctor refused to understand the patient’s perspective
Sadly, patients with doctors who fail to listen may delay seeking medical attention for a problem that may very well exist, simply because their doctor did not listen to or trivialized their concerns. As a result, a patient’s medical condition can worsen, and treatments that may have been options at an earlier stage may no longer be possible. Failing to listen can be dangerous and even fatal to a patient and can subject doctors and other healthcare professionals to liability for malpractice.
Your doctor may not listen, but your lawyer will
At Pita Weber Del Prado, you can be certain that your concerns will be listened to and your opinions respected. We recognize each of our clients as unique individuals with unique situations, and we never take a “one size fits all” approach to our legal preparation. Our Miami negligent doctor lawyers have been recognized as leaders in the area of medical malpractice.
If you feel that you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a doctor would not listen, the Miami lawyers at Pita Weber Del Prado welcome you to our offices to discuss your legal rights and options. Contact us today at 305-670-2889 to set up a free consultation.
