How to Prevent Malpractice Before It Happens




We often hear of people who have become the victims of medical malpractice. They went in for a routine procedure only to be left worse than when they first started. A lot of times, malpractice can’t be prevented because circumstances arise that are out of your control, however, there are many times when it can be prevented with careful research. Here are a few ways you can prevent yourself from falling victim to medical malpractice.

Research Your Physician

There are several places you can go to find out the truth behind your doctor. First you can do a search for all board certified physicians in your area. You can also go to a site like ZocDoc, that has the profiles of several physicians in your area, and if your doctor is there, you can see what others are saying about their services and their experiences. A simple internet search will also bring you to reviews of what people have been saying about your doctor. If something doesn’t sit well with you, you can change doctors and potentially avoid a bad experience.

Talk to a Malpractice Lawyer

If you feel it’s a good choice, consult with a medical malpractice attorney to learn if they have ever had a run-in with your doctor. An attorney in your area can let you know if they have heard of your physician, and if they have, chances are that doctor has been through the legal system before. That is a tell-tale sign that you may want to have another doctor do your procedure or take care of you because other people have previously had terrible experiences with your current doctor.

Choose a Doctor Other People Recommend

If you are looking for a doctor to perform a procedure for you, ask others who they know or who they have heard about. Just about everyone knows someone who has had plastic surgery or some kind of restorative surgery and a few calls to a few friends can come up with a lot of good leads. Find out who other people trust, and if it’s possible, meet or speak with these people to get a first-hand account of their experience. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to make your decision.

Get Second and Third Opinions

While you are in the search for a good doctor, don’t go to just one doctor, but instead go to a few. Three is a good number to shoot for. The more doctors you speak with and have consultations with, the easier it can be to make your decision. You can get an idea of how each doctor performs their surgery and you can get an idea of what is commonly accepted and what may seem a bit out of the box. This will help you narrow down your choice, become more knowledgeable on your surgery, and feel which doctor makes you the most comfortable. Gather as much information as you can before you have any procedure performed.

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