Have you ever doubted a doctor diagnosis?
Four fifths of Britons feel that a doctor has misdiagnosed them at least once in the past 5 years and what’s more shocking is 73% of adults in the UK claim that they would not challenge the doctor’s conclusion.
The main reason for this being that they want to avoid confrontation and don’t want to insult or offend the doctor.
According to the poll, the majority of respondents who felt they had been misdiagnosed at some point, 51%, admitted that their doctor ‘was probably right’ and that it was their doubt that convinced them otherwise. 32% of those who felt they had received a wrong diagnosis in the past admitted that it was the ‘internet’ which had played a part in their thought process.
19% of those who felt that they had been misdiagnosed at some point admitted that they had set out to get a second opinion by visiting another doctor.
Inez Brown, Partner at Medical Accident Group, who conducted the research, said the following:
“We’re shocked at just how many Britons don’t completely trust their doctor and have felt at least once in the past few years that they may have been misdiagnosed. However, if you do genuinely feel that this is the case, or you’re simply not happy with the response a doctor has given you, don’t be worried about confrontation – it’s your duty to yourself to tell your doctor how you’re feeling. Whilst we understand that Britons may not want to offend their doctors by asking them to double check, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“Although your doctor will be right the majority of the time, it is always possible that you could have been misdiagnosed. For most people this isn’t serious as it may just be a minor, short term illness, however it’s important to remember that you know your body better than anyone else. If you’re really worried about a possible misdiagnosis and don’t want to ask your doctor to double check, don’t forget that you can always get a second opinion.”