“What’s Up Doc—Why No Straight Answer?”
Aug 19 2009
“What’s Up Doc” Part IV Answer:
Last week’s symptom: Headaches and/or ringing or aching ears, plus aching back, neck, and/or teeth
The Doctor Says: Migraines or an ear disorder
But It Could Be: Temporomandibular joint syndrome—when the joint connecting your jaw and skull becomes inflamed
So why is it so difficult to get a straight answer when you go see your doctor?
This month’s Redbook Magazine points to an alarming statistic from the National Patient Safety Foundation that says, “about 40% of all mistakes that medical doctors make are misdiagnoses” – the article also talks about the four diseases we’ve been discussing these last few weeks.
There are a number of factors contributing to this statistic, including the fact that many conditions have similar symptoms or can be detected only with certain tests that your doctor may consider unnecessary, or because your doctor is confident in the diagnose based on his or her experience, just to name a few.
What this statistic highlights for me is just how critical it is to be fully engaged in my own health care. Not just being aware of what’s going on with my body, but also knowing the right questions to ask my physician when I notice something wrong.
The article suggests that by being aware of conditions that might present confusing symptoms then you can ask the right questions to prevent or fix an error by your doctor.
My take-way in reading the article? A little patient education can go a long way in helping me get a straight answer from my Doc—and, it might just Save My Life!
2 Responses to ““What’s Up Doc—Why No Straight Answer?””
Dear CDR. Campos,
In looking over the healthcare ladnscape I totally agree with your take-way. My company offers an interactive on-demand patient education system (TIGR) at a very affordable price. We have had considerable success in the VA hospitals in different VISNs, but I think a larger effort would provide the veterans of this great nation with more better condition- specific education, but also allowing them a more active role in their recovery.
Matt
Matt, thank you for your email. Your patient education system (TIGR) sounds very interesting. I learned something from you today that I wasn’t aware of–am sure this might be news to others reading this too.
Perhaps you could share a little more information on this system to help educate those of us who use the VA–I’d love to know more as an advocate for veterans health care and as a VA patient. Perhaps you have a link to a fact sheet you could post here so folks can review.
Thanks so much for the information. Most of all, thank you for your support of our military, veterans and their families.