If you’re angry after a recent Kentucky cancer misdiagnosis, you’re not alone. Researchers have found that although doctors may give out the wrong diagnosis, it’s a lack of proper protocol in the health care system that’s to blame.
The BMJ Quality and Safety journal found that roughly 28 percent of all cancers are initially misdiagnosed. In the same study, doctors said that they believed lymphoma is the most commonly misdiagnosed form of cancer, closely followed by breast cancer, sarcoma and melanoma.
While the public may be tempted to think that doctors who give out these misdiagnoses are inept or uncaring, doctors were asked to give their reasons why misdiagnosis occurs. The most common answers given included:
- Missing information. Nearly 40 percent of doctors polled said that “fragmented or missing information across medical information systems” contributed to the wrong diagnosis.
- Time constraints. Anyone who has waited over an hour to see their doctor knows how frustrating an overburdened health care system can be – a concern that is shared by the doctors themselves. Many doctors see up to 30 patients a day, often spending less than 20 minutes with each one.
- Testing costs. In some cases, a doctor may want to perform additional diagnostic testing, but is prohibited by the patient’s insurance restrictions or strict hospital policies forbidding “unnecessary tests” to reduce costs.
[Related: Cancer Misdiagnosis is More Common Than You Think]
If your treatment was delayed due to cancer misdiagnosis, the KY medical malpractice attorneys at Gray and White can help. Call us today at 800.634.8767 or fill out the contact form on the top of this page to start your FREE consultation.