Doctor-Patient Communication Is Vital

An important aspect of any doctor’s visit is for the patient to feel they have been heard. No two people are alike, and no two patients will experience the same medical condition the same. Patients who suffer recurring problems often know the first signs, sometimes before testing or medical knowledge can discern a problem is present.

This is why doctor-patient communication is vital. Medical problems often involve serious, even life-and-death, issues. No facts can be neglected when diagnosing and treating a patient. Medical care in the United States is the best in the world, when everything works correctly. It is when communication breaks down, for any reason, that the risks for serious problems increase.

When Communication Breaks Down

When doctors and patients do not adequately communicate, there are no positive outcomes. Often, a patient may feel the doctor is in too much of a hurry to listen to their concerns. This can be due to a rushed visit in the exam room or a failure to thoroughly review the patient’s history and know their condition. Sometimes communication can be difficult or nearly impossible because the patient’s condition prevents them from coherent communication.

Whatever the reason, a failure to communicate can lead to serious misunderstandings with diagnosis and treatment – and this can be deadly. For example, the wrong medication can react adversely with other drugs or an allergic reaction can cause swelling or breathing difficulties. Serious medication errors happen through miscommunication far too often; and yet these mistakes are preventable.

A misdiagnosed infection, or ignoring the seriousness of a condition, can lead to a condition called sepsis, where the infection spreads throughout the body and poses a fatal risk. Simply listening and taking early action can often prevent such cases from occurring. Sometimes a misdiagnosis leads to the wrong treatment, slowing recovery and allowing the real problem to grow worse, and potentially lethal.

Protecting Your Rights in Georgia

Just as doctors generally work hard to protect your health, The Law Firm of Dwayne L. Brown works hard to protect your rights when you have suffered a personal injury, including because of medical malpractice. When a doctor or other medical specialist does not gather all the facts and this contributes to doing you harm, you have a means of recourse.

A personal injury attorney from The Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown can investigate your claim and help you pursue a medical malpractice personal injury lawsuit. Such actions are helpful for two main reasons.

• A medical malpractice personal injury lawsuit serves as a deterrent to prevent the offending physician and other medical professionals from making these kinds of serious mistakes again.
• A medical malpractice personal injury lawsuit can provide you with compensation to cover the expenses of medical treatments and other therapies made necessary because of your injury. It can also provide compensation to replace the wages you would be earning if you were able to continue working.

Living with the consequences of a medical mistake can have ramifications that last your entire life. The doctor or specialist who is responsible for the mistake that caused your injury should be held accountable for their actions. The Law Firm of Dwayne L. Brown, with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, has the resources, talent, knowledge and experience to investigate and pursue medical malpractice cases.

If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to the mistake or neglect of a medical professional in Georgia or Alabama, contact The Law Firm of Dwayne L. Brown to schedule a personal injury consultation with one of our attorneys. Your initial consultation is free.