Medical Malpractice Preventative Care
We’ve written countless articles about what to do if you or a loved one has fallen victim to medical malpractice.
But is there a way to prevent becoming a victim? Are there things you could be doing to avoid becoming a victim of medical malpractice in the first place?
The answer is YES, and the first tip we have stresses the importance of preventative care.
What is Preventative Care?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Preventive care includes health services like screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling that are used to prevent illnesses, disease, and other health problems, or to detect illness at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best.”
The CDC expresses that if everyone in the United States received the recommended amount of preventative care, over 100,000 lives could be saved every year.
Types of preventative care measures could include:
- Tests (Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, etc.)
- Cancer Screenings
- STD Screenings
- Yearly Physicals
- Vaccines
Allen Tittle’s Battle with Cancer
Avoid Medical Malpractice: Finding a Specialist
In a previous blog post, Attorney Allen Tittle discussed the importance of preventative care and taking charge of your healthcare from the very beginning.
In part 2 of the series, “How to Prevent Becoming a Victim of Medical Malpractice”, the topic discussed is finding the best healthcare provider for your specific condition.
How Do I Find the Best Healthcare Provider?
For many people who determine that a specialist is needed for their condition, they often get referrals from their doctors, friends, relatives, or social networks. However, there may be a better way to make sure you’re getting the perfect fit for your needs.
Physiatrist Dr. Val Jones came up with a 10-step guide for finding the best doctor for your condition:
- Determine what kind of doctor you need.
- Compile a list of all the doctors (of the specialty you need) in your area.
- Narrow online choices by your preferences
- Do an online “background check” of your top choices.
- Make an appointment.
- Come prepared.
- Ask the right questions.
- Go with your gut.
- Get a second opinion.
- Reward good doctors with good online recommendations so others can benefit.
Don't Become a Statistic, Find a Specialist!
Avoid Medical Malpractice: Follow Your Doctor's Advice
The third and final piece of advice to prevent becoming a victim of medical malpractice might seem obvious, but it’s something many people ignore- follow your doctor’s advice.
If a doctor or healthcare professional suggests a course of treatment like getting an x-ray or coming in for additional blood work, it’s important that you follow through and get the suggested tests. Not only will it be helpful should you pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit, but your health will also likely benefit from the suggestions as well.
Why is it Important to Follow Your Doctor’s Advice?
Contact Cleveland Medical Malpractice & Negligence Lawyers
Have you followed your doctor’s advice but still found yourself a victim of medical malpractice? Don’t wait to take action, contact Cleveland Medical Malpractice Attorney’s today. Fill out a contact form online or call 216-677-3671 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney. We will fight for you!
