“If They Messed Up, They Would Have to Tell Me, Right?”

By: Angela

I blogged last week about the high percentage of medical errors that go unreported. When you know something went wrong, do not assume that the error triggers action on by the hospital, clinic, or practice group. All too often, errors are unreported and there is no investigation whatsoever.

But what if you aren’t sure? Doesn’t the doctor or hospital have a duty to tell you if something goes wrong with your care?  It turns out that about 1/3 of doctors do not think it is important to disclose serious medical errors to their patients.

In the wake of the recent Health Affairs survey that gave us this insight, Dr. Otis Brawley wrote a nice piece for CNN (Dishonest Doctors, Why Physicians Lie). “Some doctors do not admit error out of fear of litigation,” Dr. Brawley says. “But my experience is that the discomfort of addressing one’s own failings or weakness is more commonly the reason for not coming forward.”

In my experience in litigation, I also see providers looking out for each other and not disclosing errors because it may implicate coworkers. While this may be well-intentioned, it leaves patients in the dark about their own care and safety.  In the worst cases, providers actually lie to to patients and their families, rather than admit what has happened. Once the lie is told, it is even harder to come clean and inform the patient of errors.

Dealing with suspicion in your own care can be tricky. Patients worry about their ongoing relationship with a provider if they ask too many questions. Plus, no one wants to place blame where none is due. If you don’t feel like your doctor is being honest with you, you are not alone. This is why it is good to call an attorney you can trust to discuss your situation confidentially.