Medical Malpractice Attorney in San Francisco, California
What are some reasons doctors fail to make a proper diagnosis?
What are some reasons doctors fail to make a proper diagnosis?
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Failure to diagnose often occurs when physicians deviate from the diagnostic algorithms they are trained to follow. These algorithms are instilled early in medical school and refined during residency and fellowship programs. Over the years, it has been observed that many failure-to-diagnose cases happen when a doctor steps off track from these established protocols.
While medicine is not an exact science, it involves a lot of science, and sometimes physicians, for various reasons, fail to properly follow these diagnostic steps. A comparison can be made to airline travel: every time a plane takes off, the pilot runs through every system and algorithm, checking redundant systems to ensure everything is working properly. This rigorous process is why plane crashes are rare. However, in medicine, such thoroughness is sometimes lacking, leading to misdiagnoses, lawsuits, and ultimately settlements or jury verdicts.
San Francisco, CA medical malpractice attorney Jeff Mitchell discusses some reasons doctors fail to make a proper diagnosis. He mentions that failure-to-diagnose cases often arise when physicians deviate from the diagnostic algorithms they are trained to follow. These structured protocols are taught early in medical school and refined through residency and fellowship. Over time, he has observed that many diagnostic failures occur when doctors step away from these established pathways.
While medicine is not an exact science, it is rooted in scientific method and process. At times, however, physicians fail to properly adhere to diagnostic steps for various reasons. He draws a comparison to aviation: before every takeoff, a pilot meticulously runs through systems and checklists, verifying redundancies to ensure safety. This disciplined process is why plane crashes are so rare. By contrast, in medicine, the same level of rigor is not always applied, and lapses in diagnostic procedures can result in misdiagnoses, malpractice claims, and ultimately, settlements or jury verdicts.
