The Institute of Medicine reports that the average patient experiences at least one error every day he is hospitalized. The annual death toll from medical errors is estimated at 44,000 to 98,000 Americans. How can you protect yourself or a loved one from a dangerous mistake? Learn how one woman discovered that her doctors had covered up a serious surgical error they made when she was a teenager.
Guests: Janet Lynn Mitchell, a patient’s right’s advocate and author of Taking A Stand. Her Web site is http://www.janetlynnmitchell.com/
Pierce Scranton, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Seattle, Washington. He has been team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and president of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society. He is author of a novel, Death on the Learning Curve. His Web site is: http://www.piercescranton.com/
Here are Dr. Scranton's questions:
Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Accepting Medical Treatment
How long have you been in practice?
What is your experience in treating this condition?
What are the treatment options, and what other options are available that you or the health plan are not offering? If you don’t understand the doctor’s basic explanation of your condition and treatment, then by all means ask him or her for more information.
What are the possible complications of the proposed medical treatments or surgeries?
If there are any complications, how will you correct the problem?
Aside from your own partners, who would you go to for medical treatment if you had this condition?
Are you personally going to perform the surgery?
Will others assist and participate, in a major way, in this medical treatment?
Can I ask your bookkeeper what my financial responsibility will be? You need to know in advance…and don’t be afraid to negotiate!
For a printable, pdf version of the top ten questions designed by Larry Miller, go to What Ails You.
