Phone: (516) 487-8207
Dr. Alex Lickerman posted a piece last week discussing one manner of doctor error: jumping to conclusions. He refers to it as 'early closure,' perhaps emphasizing the comforting feeling of reaching a diagnosis and moving on to the treatment, whether or not the diagnosis is accurate.
Dr. Lickerman stressed that veteran doctors are more prone to commit the error of jumping to conclusions because more experienced clinicians rely more on habit and pattern recognition. So when they notice symptoms that fit a stereotypical affliction, they are more likely to go with their gut on the diagnosis, without double-checking their work by "Asking the most important question a physician can ever ask: what else could this be?"
He extrapolates that our entire species tends to jump to conclusions based on preconceived assumptions. When we assume the worst, we often bring about negative reactions. When we assume better things, the reactions tend to be more positive. In medicine, the physician's negative assumptions are similarly often borne by the patients who hear the bad news.
Dr. Lickerman relayed the story of a patient who felt a pain that extended to his stomach after pressing on an external muscle "trigger point." The diagnosis was "referred pain," which could effectively be treated with medicine. Later, the doctor heard back from his patient, whose CT scan found a tumor on his pancreas. When the growth was removed, the pain went away. Thus, the pain came from an internal organ, not a muscle. The error did not affect the patient's treatment, but it provided Dr. Lickerman with a sobering tale.
MORE INFO
As a practicing medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury attorney in New York, I deal with medical errors like this every day. If you would like more information about how medical malpractice cases work in the state of New York, I encourage you to explore my educational medical malpractice website. If you have legal questions, I urge you to pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at lawmed10@yahoo.com to answer your questions. That's what I do every day. I welcome your call.
Read More About Medical Malpractice: The Hazard of Jumping to Conclusions...
