Comments on: Unrecognized Bladder Cancer-Death in Brooklyn, New York http://nymedicalmalpracticevideoblog.com/2010/01/06/unrecognized-bladder-cancer-death-in-brooklyn-new-york/ New York Medical Malpractice Video Blog Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:16:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Admin http://nymedicalmalpracticevideoblog.com/2010/01/06/unrecognized-bladder-cancer-death-in-brooklyn-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-388 Admin Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:25:40 +0000 http://nymedicalmalpracticevideoblog.com/?p=577#comment-388 Carolyn, I agree that patients have an obligation to look out for their best interests and to be compliant with instructions. However, there are many people who do not have the knowledge, intellect, social ability or means to question a doctor's assurances. As much as we'd like to assume that educated people will question their doctor, there are still many who have no access to computers and many who are uneducated and hold doctors out as Gods. When a potential client comes to me, the injury has already occurred. I would not recommend that patients go online for second opinions since there is much information online that may not be applicable to their particular symptoms. It is not for the uneducated patient to try and solve why they have blood in their urine. That's the doctor's job. You and I know that persistent abnormal complaints should be addressed by a doctor. The failure by one doctor to address those concerns may lead you or I to another doctor for another opinion. In an ideal world, I agree that's what should be done. However, in the practical world, with insurance restrictions about who patients can and cannot see, it is not realistic; especially when the primary care doctor refuses to give a referral to a specialist, when he sees no reason for it. Carolyn, I agree that patients have an obligation to look out for their best interests and to be compliant with instructions.

However, there are many people who do not have the knowledge, intellect, social ability or means to question a doctor’s assurances.

As much as we’d like to assume that educated people will question their doctor, there are still many who have no access to computers and many who are uneducated and hold doctors out as Gods.

When a potential client comes to me, the injury has already occurred. I would not recommend that patients go online for second opinions since there is much information online that may not be applicable to their particular symptoms. It is not for the uneducated patient to try and solve why they have blood in their urine. That’s the doctor’s job.

You and I know that persistent abnormal complaints should be addressed by a doctor. The failure by one doctor to address those concerns may lead you or I to another doctor for another opinion. In an ideal world, I agree that’s what should be done. However, in the practical world, with insurance restrictions about who patients can and cannot see, it is not realistic; especially when the primary care doctor refuses to give a referral to a specialist, when he sees no reason for it.

]]> By: Carolyn Elefant http://nymedicalmalpracticevideoblog.com/2010/01/06/unrecognized-bladder-cancer-death-in-brooklyn-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-387 Carolyn Elefant Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:10:06 +0000 http://nymedicalmalpracticevideoblog.com/?p=577#comment-387 Gerry, This was a tragic story, to be sure. And it is certainly a sound lesson for doctors to take patient complaints seriously. However, I believe that you missed an opportunity here to advise patients to seek a second opinion when it seems that something is not right. Clearly, this woman had concerns that something was amiss, which is why she continued to get these tests. But she was lulled by the doctors assurances. Please don't get me wrong - from your description the doctor was entirely to blame, not this poor victim. However, you might have advised patients in a similar situation to check symptoms online or consult another doctor or a specialist if things don't add up. Certainly, malpractice suits are one solution to negligence in the medical profession. But patient empowerment can also help mitigate the effects of malpractice. Gerry,
This was a tragic story, to be sure. And it is certainly a sound lesson for doctors to take patient complaints seriously. However, I believe that you missed an opportunity here to advise patients to seek a second opinion when it seems that something is not right. Clearly, this woman had concerns that something was amiss, which is why she continued to get these tests. But she was lulled by the doctors assurances.

Please don’t get me wrong – from your description the doctor was entirely to blame, not this poor victim. However, you might have advised patients in a similar situation to check symptoms online or consult another doctor or a specialist if things don’t add up. Certainly, malpractice suits are one solution to negligence in the medical profession. But patient empowerment can also help mitigate the effects of malpractice.

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