How you can help your doctor reduce errors
In this article we will describe how you can help your doctor reduce errors.
There are things you can do to help your doctor reduce the likelihood of errors. This page is linked to another describing the five common types of medical error.
Knowledge
The doctor may have a lack of knowledge about your condition. It does not matter why. But you can politely say ‘doc, if you are not sure, it is fine to ask someone else. I can come back soon’. Doctors like to be decisive and strong as it makes you trust them (which is important). But you can reassure them that they do not have to perfect and make a decision today. Its fine to ask. You can also look up drugs yourself, e.g. is the drug the correct one for your condition, and at the right dose?
Rules and guidelines
You cannot be expected to know or understand (or have access to) all local and national guidelines, to judge their worth. But you can look up the national ones on-line and check what is happening is consistent with them – if not, why not? I.e. why are you an exemption?
Action
You cannot know all the skills of your doctor (especially technical ones, e.g. their ability to do an operation or procedure). But you can check their experience, by asking how many of these operations or procedures they have done, and their complication rate – and ask where data on them can be read on-line. And you can aid with other actions.
This is especially true for communication issues – e.g. you can check that follow-up has been made, and after a suitable time period. You can also act as a ‘go-between’ of information by keeping a thorough medical record including copies of letters, and an up-to-date list of medications. It is well known that GP, hospital and pharmacy computer systems do not always ‘talk to each other’
Memory
You cannot help a doctor with their memory. But you can ‘feel’ when a doctor is not sure and that may be due to a memory lapse. So you can say ‘doc, its fine to take 5 mins and check that you are remembering things OK’ , check a previous letter, ring someone, or ask a colleague their view
Bias
Again, you cannot spot when a doctors has bias. But you can spot when they come to a diagnosis too soon, or hold on it too strongly (especially when data comes through that does not fit with it), or do not seek advice when they are unsure (due to arrogance). These are forms of bias.
Also, choose your doctors carefully. Do some research, ask questions. Make the same (or more) effort you would, if you were choosing a holiday, new car or house. This video from the USA describes some ways of judging whether a doctor will be any good.
Helping prevent medical errors is part of good self-management. You may ask why is it necessary? When you pick the car up from the mechanic do you assume its perfect, or drive slowly round the block to check the wheels don’t fall off?
Summary
How you can help your doctor reduce errors
