What is $55.6 billion? That’s what your free insurance quote paid for, that is the cost of medical malpractice a year. This amount includes more than $45 billion due to unnecessary tests or treatments prescribed by doctors. These treatments, known as defensive medicines, are usually prescribed to avoid lawsuits. Research at Harvard University has shown that defensive medicines contribute in large part to an already existing health-care system inefficiencies. It does not prevent medical errors and failures and does nothing to reduce injuries and trauma caused to patients.
How does a patient help in reducing medical errors? The best way is to first become an active participating member of the health-care system. Research has shown that patients who actively involve themselves in health-care decision process typically have better results that those who don’t. People should also make every effort to keep their health-care professionals fully informed about every type of medicine consumed. These should include prescription medication, over-the-counter medication and even dietary supplements. It is also critical to inform the health-care professionals about any allergies or adverse effects of any particular medication.
Any major factor in our interactions with medical professionals is that we are intimidated by jargon, the technology and the complexity of the treatments. We don’t understand the medications being prescribed and why we are taking them. It becomes imperative that the patient asks for information at every stage of the health care. And it is important to ask for information in ways we can understand. Understand not just the effects of the medicines but also the side effects to be able to handle emergencies better.
We should take responsibility for our health. It is important to speak up and ask questions. Remember, the patient has a right to question anyone connected with his or her health care. At the same time one must learn to trust and work with the health-care professional and not always look with a skeptical eye.