Holding Doctors Accountable

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   RGrafposted 15 years ago

   Do you think that we should be able to sue medical professionals who don't do their job well (or at all) and cost you time, money, and severe pain? 
   
   For example, you go into the hospital with stomach pains.  They say that you are constipated.  Go home and eat fiber.  You go home and your appendix ruptures.  Can you make them be held accountable?

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      pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. I think you should be able to sue. Did something like that happen to you?

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      1. 87

         RGrafposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Not quite as drastic as the example I used.  I've been a hospital multiple times with stomach issues.  They keep telling me that I either have a virus or need to clean out my bowels.  this has been going on for two years.  Finally I got in to see a GI who has discovered  that the closing (sphinter) between the esophagus and the stomach is not closing anymore and that there is a bacterial infection in the stomach.  The other doctors sent me home and refused to look any further and one even accused me of being a hypochondriac.

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            pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            I can't say that surprises me. My experience with doctors has by and large been negative, and emergency rooms are even worse. I think it has gotten to the point where the care is so bad it's actually dangerous. Unless you are literally about to die (or think you are) they just do a wallet-ectomy on you and send you home feeling mildly-to-seriously abused.
            
            But it's not like it's any better at the GP's office unless you have unlimited funds and unlimited time to be professional patient, and even then they might or might not be able to help.
            
            Honestly I just think the system is a disgraceful mess. I don't know that lawsuits are the answer but if you get really bad care that harms you, you should be able to sue.

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      RKHenryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Since when haven't we been able too.  I'm American.  We sue all the time.  What country are you referring too?

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2. 89

   Stacie Lposted 15 years ago

   American health care or business is strictly for the money. As long as the doctors know that insurance is paying them,they will do the bare minimum.
   Some doctors are switching to paying (non insurance ) practices to get away from the paperwork.
   Maybe this is  a better solution?
   i know that I certainly didn't and still don't get good medical care.They totally missed my cancer in 2005.

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   1. 64

      RKHenryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      OMG!  Now what?  What did they do?  Did you sue?  You can't just say that and leave us hanging here.  Well you can, but at least tell us, are you okay?

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         Stacie Lposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Thank God I found a competent GY/OB in KY.After moving here I had my annual exam and she found it.Knew exactly what it was,conducted tests sent me to Univ. of Kentucky Markey cancer Center for second opinion.They confirmed and after major surgery and 6 months at chemo I'm alright now.
         So much for city doctors vs. country doctors.
         The Mal insurance costs are so high that doctors in Florida make patients sign a "no-fault" document before they see you.This leads to indifference and incompetence.
         
         (there's a big problem with lawsuits apparently)Lot sof doctors are leaving practice there or moving to other states.

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            RKHenryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Isn't forcing a patient to sign a document such as the one said, legal?  It infringes on a patients rights and the oath doctors make before becoming a doctor. 
            
            I'm glad you're doing alright.  I wish you many happy blessings.

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      Shil1978posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Agree with you totally. Money corrupts and how. You'd think doctors should be different, but then again they aren't.

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   Amanda Severnposted 15 years ago

   Doctors are only human and they will make mistakes, or perhaps not be as knowledgeable as you'd hope. Litigation is creeping in here in the UK, but I don't know if sueing is always the answer. A straightforward compensation system might be better in a lot of cases, as it would cut down on legal costs, and hopefully shorten resolution time.

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      pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I think you are right. I think we get more bitter here because the costs are SO HIGH. So if you go and it's a bad experience, it feels worse because you shelled out so much for it.
      
      Also, I don't think the U.S. focuses enough on preventative care and wellness care. I know Obama is addressing that as part of his health care reform package. People definitely have to take responsibility for keeping themselves as well as they can. So often we don't address lifestyle issues here, we just show up at a doctor's office or emergency room and say, "Fix me."

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4. 87

   RGrafposted 15 years ago

   You are all correct in that they system needs to be revamped.  But like in so many areas of our lives, quality is going straight down here.  Seems that we are not letting the companies know that we demand good quality of whatever we get.
   
   I'm honestly scared to go to the two local hospitals because they try to treat unless you are dying and try to get you out the door as quick as possible.  I was up all last night doubled over in pain and crying.  When we called the doctor's office, not even they wanted me to go to those hospitals.  They begged me to hold out until Monday so that they can see me personally since they don't trust those hospitals.  That is so sad.
   
   When I had my appendix act up, I was taken to the local hospital near my mother's house.  My sister works there.  When she heard that I was taken in, she rushed to the ER to prevent them from treating me.  She said that the surgeon on call was a butcher and did not want him working on me.  Why don't we fight them?

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