Navigating the Healthcare System: A Modern Guide to Patient Rights
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By PAGE Editor
Afraid of visiting the doctor?
Wondering how you can protect yourself from medical malpractice?
You're not alone. Many people think that our healthcare system automatically has their best interests in mind. But statistics show that misdiagnosis and medical mistakes are extremely common. If you don't know your patient rights, you could be putting yourself at risk of becoming another victim.
There is good news.
Knowing your patient rights is…
Free to learn
Easy to implement
…and well worth it if it means the difference between proper treatment and permanent injury.
Here's what you need to know:
Why Patient Rights are More Important Than Ever
What Are the Biggest Threats to Patient Safety?
What To Do If You've Been Misdiagnosed
5 Patient Rights Everyone Should Know
How To Advocate for Yourself in the Healthcare System
Why Patient Rights are More Important Than Ever
Patient rights are there for one reason…
To keep you safe when you need care the most.
Every time you set foot in a hospital or doctor's office you put your life in the hands of someone else. And when that someone is a medical professional, you deserve guarantees that they will do right by you. Thanks to federal and state laws, they must.
Patient rights include everything from informed consent to access of medical records and even the right to privacy. All of these rights allow you to be an active participant in your own care.
However…
The scary truth is most patients aren't aware of these rights. They think their doctor knows best and will always act in their best interest. But when mistakes happen, it's usually because a health care provider neglected one or more patient rights.
For example, when a doctor fails to diagnose a condition, doesn't order the proper tests, or ignores obvious warning signs, they are not providing you the standard of care you legally deserve. In these situations, contacting a medical malpractice attorney is one of the first steps you should take to learn about your legal options.
Heavy stuff. Right? That's why knowing and understanding your patient rights is more important than ever.
What Are The Biggest Threats To Patient Safety?
Let's take a look at some facts.
A recent study reported in BMJ Quality & Safety discovered that diagnostic errors are responsible for around 795,000 deaths and permanent injuries annually. To put that into perspective, that means someone you know could be a victim of a medical mistake.
Not only that…
Statistics from ECRI show that 69% of misdiagnosis occur during the testing phase. In other words, medical providers make diagnostic errors when ordering tests, processing results and even relaying that information back to patients.
Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions are:
Stroke
Heart attack
Blood clots
Sepsis
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Unfortunately, these nine conditions made up 75% of injuries caused by diagnostic errors. Not to mention Black patients and women are disproportionately affected by misdiagnosis. Studies show they are 20–30% more likely than white men to receive a misdiagnosis.
It's no longer safe to trust the medical system. But you can stack the odds in your favour by knowing your rights.
What To Do If You've Been Misdiagnosed
Okay, so what do you do if you think you've been misdiagnosed?
First off, don't panic.
A misdiagnosis can cause unnecessary treatments, delay proper care, or even allow a disease to progress to the point of no return. However, if you think your doctor gave you an incorrect diagnosis, you can take matters into your own hands by…
Getting a second opinion.
You have the patient right to seek a second opinion from another medical professional. Not only will this confirm the accuracy of the diagnosis but it could save your life.
Requesting your medical records.
Doctors are required by law to provide you with your full medical records whenever you request them. This includes, test results, physician's notes and even imaging reports.
Document everything.
Whether it's your symptoms, office visits or what your doctor tells you, keep detailed notes on every interaction.
If your health has been negatively impacted by a misdiagnosis you should also…
Consult a legal professional.
One of your patient rights is to seek legal counsel if you feel a medical provider has violated your rights. A trained legal professional can guide you on the next steps you should take.
Time is always of the essence with a misdiagnosis. So be sure to act quickly to help prevent any further damages.
5 Patient Rights Everyone Should Know
Here's a little known fact…
The majority of hospital visits occur without knowing your patient rights. Yes, you heard that correctly. Most people don't know what rights they legally have when receiving medical care.
This is a problem because you can't advocate for your rights if you don't know they exist.
Patient rights include:
Informed Consent: You have the right to know exactly what treatment you will receive and what risks are involved before it's administered.
Access to Medical Records: You are legally able to request and receive a copy of your medical records at any time.
Privacy: Your medical information is protected by HIPAA laws and cannot be shared without your consent.
Second Opinion: You have the right to seek another opinion from a different medical provider.
Refuse Treatment: You can refuse any form of treatment or procedure that you're not comfortable with.
How To Advocate For Yourself in the Healthcare System
These patient rights are non-negotiable. But there are other ways you can advocate for yourself when dealing with medical professionals.
Ask Questions
Don't be afraid to speak up during your doctor's appointment. You have a right to know and understand your diagnosis and treatment plans. So if you don't understand something, ask questions until you do.
Stay Organized
Requesting and keeping your own medical records will help you build a file of documentation. Should anything go wrong, you'll have peace of mind knowing you have a paper trail to support any case.
Know Family History
You know your family better than anyone. Sharing family history can help medical providers avoid common misdiagnosis.
Push Back When Necessary
If something doesn't feel right, get a second opinion. You have every right to seek a second diagnosis.
Bringing It All Together
Knowledge is power, and this guide should help you become more empowered in today's healthcare system. Patient rights are there to protect you and your family. When you know your rights, you have the ability to prevent serious injuries caused by misdiagnosis and medical error.
Remember…
Patient rights are protections given to you by law
Preventing misdiagnosis starts by knowing your family history
Advocating for yourself starts with knowing your patient rights
If you believe you've been misdiagnosed, request your medical records and get a second opinion as soon as possible
As medical patients, you have the right to ask questions and seek a second opinion
You now have the tools to help protect yourself and your family from misdiagnosis and medical errors. Use them!
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