The first thing you do when you meet with your doctor is to sit down and describe the issues that you’re facing and why you came in for the visit. Even if it is just a routine physical, your doctor is probably going to ask you if there have been any health changes that you’d like to discuss.
For some people, this conversation goes very well, and they feel like the doctor is listening to them and providing an accurate diagnosis. But, for many people, this is far from the case. Studies have found that most doctors will interrupt their patients after an average of just 11 seconds. If your doctor is interrupting you instead of listening to you, are they really getting the information that they need to make that diagnosis?
How can you deal with it?
It’s natural to be concerned if you feel like your doctor is being negligent and not giving you the care you deserve. But how do you get them to listen?
One tactic is simply to bring another person with you. This person can be your advocate and speak up for you if the doctor isn’t paying close enough attention. It is easier for two people to hold the doctor accountable than for a single patient.
Another tactic is to make a list of all the things that you want to make sure you say to your doctor. You can show them this list at the beginning and tell them that you’d like to go through it line by line. This helps you ensure that you don’t forget any key points.
Unfortunately, doctors do get distracted, they fail to listen, and this does lead to significant medical mistakes. If you have suffered harm, you need to know if you have a right to financial compensation.
