Having a doctor who is tuned in to the needs of their patient is vital. This is especially the case if you are in a condition that is potentially life-threatening. In medicine, the margin for error can be very fine, and it may literally be a matter of life and death.
If your doctor is distracted while treating you then they are ultimately putting you at risk. Outlined below are some of the more common ways that doctors become distracted:
Being overworked is a big issue
There are few doctors who only deal with one patient at a time. They usually have several cases that they have to manage and prioritize according to their urgency and severity. At times when you are being treated the doctor’s mind should not be elsewhere, such as on another patient. If this occurs, there is a risk that the doctor will confuse the two cases and possibly make a wrongful diagnosis or administer a treatment that is not appropriate for your condition. In the case of surgeons, one momentary lapse in concentration could result in a potentially fatal mistake.
What can you do?
If you are unhappy with how you have been treated then you are entitled to raise the issue. Explain your situation to a member of staff and ask them to take the necessary steps. If this is unsuccessful then you are also entitled to change doctors. You have every right to be treated by someone with whom you feel comfortable.
Doctors are only human but the stakes in the profession are higher than most others. If your treatment was poor and was the result of negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about medical malpractice claims.
