Misdiagnosed or Undiagnosed: Clues, Possibilities and Next Steps
Some statistics say that as many as 20 percent of all diagnoses are incorrect. Some patients may spend weeks or months, undiagnosed, with no answer to what is causing their symptoms. Understanding the roots of misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose can help patients work with their physicians to arrive at the right answers.
Undiagnosed or Misdiagnosed ? You May Have a Rare Disease
Nothing is more frustrating than a set of symptoms and no name that goes with them. There are thousands of rare diseases, and they may be the answer for patients who are undiagnosed or have been misdiagnosed.
Nothing is more frustrating than a set of symptoms and no name that goes with them. There are thousands of rare diseases, and they may be the answer for patients who are undiagnosed or have been misdiagnosed.
Misdiagnosis -- What is Misdiagnosis?
Patients are misdiagnosed too often and most don't realize they are at risk of misdiagnosis. Learn how misdiagnosis happens, and what a wise patient can do to prevent being misdiagnosed.
Patients are misdiagnosed too often and most don't realize they are at risk of misdiagnosis. Learn how misdiagnosis happens, and what a wise patient can do to prevent being misdiagnosed.
A Story of Misdiagnosis
Receiving a wrong diagnosis can be devastating. Learn how the About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment found out she received a wrong diagnosis and how this misdiagnosis taught her about the importance of taking an active role in one's health care.
Receiving a wrong diagnosis can be devastating. Learn how the About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment found out she received a wrong diagnosis and how this misdiagnosis taught her about the importance of taking an active role in one's health care.
When You Can't Get a Diagnosis
One form of medical misdiagnosis is called Failure to Diagnose. It occurs when a patient can't get an accurate diagnosis, also called a missed diagnosis. Knowing the reasons why a diagnose eludes a doctor, and what the outcomes might be, will help you get closer to your own diagnosis.
One form of medical misdiagnosis is called Failure to Diagnose. It occurs when a patient can't get an accurate diagnosis, also called a missed diagnosis. Knowing the reasons why a diagnose eludes a doctor, and what the outcomes might be, will help you get closer to your own diagnosis.
Fran Drescher Turns Misdiagnosis Into Cancer Awareness Campaign
We knew and loved Fran Drescher as The Nanny on TV in the 1990s. Shortly after the show ended, she suffered her first misdiagnosis of cancer. Read about Fran's journey -- from getting a corrected diagnosis to her work today as advocate, author, movement leader and diplomat.
We knew and loved Fran Drescher as The Nanny on TV in the 1990s. Shortly after the show ended, she suffered her first misdiagnosis of cancer. Read about Fran's journey -- from getting a corrected diagnosis to her work today as advocate, author, movement leader and diplomat.
Effective Doctor-Patient Communications: More Accurate Diagnosing
Sometimes problems with diagnosis can stem from communications problems between patients and their practitioners. The foundation for effective communications comes from respect. The patients can use these ideas to help them learn more from their doctors and other providers.
Sometimes problems with diagnosis can stem from communications problems between patients and their practitioners. The foundation for effective communications comes from respect. The patients can use these ideas to help them learn more from their doctors and other providers.
Is Your Illness All In Your Head?
Patients who are frustrated by trying to get a distinct medical diagnosis for their problem are sometimes told by their physicians that it's "all in their head." Here are some alternate ways of looking at that accusation.
Patients who are frustrated by trying to get a distinct medical diagnosis for their problem are sometimes told by their physicians that it's "all in their head." Here are some alternate ways of looking at that accusation.
Are You Seeing the Right Specialist?
When a patient has a difficult time getting a diagnosis, or thinks he may have been misdiagnosed, it could be because he is working with the wrong kind of specialist.
When a patient has a difficult time getting a diagnosis, or thinks he may have been misdiagnosed, it could be because he is working with the wrong kind of specialist.
Is It Time to Change Doctors? Perhaps a New Doctor Can Diagnose You
There are a number of reasons a patient may decide to change doctors, and failure to diagnose may be one. Sometimes it's a necessity, and others it's a choice. Learn about good reasons for making changes and the first steps toward a smooth transition.
There are a number of reasons a patient may decide to change doctors, and failure to diagnose may be one. Sometimes it's a necessity, and others it's a choice. Learn about good reasons for making changes and the first steps toward a smooth transition.
Book Review: What's Wrong With Me?
Book review of What's Wrong With Me? (The Frustrated Patient's Guide to Getting an Accurate Diagnosis), by Lynn M. Dannheisser and Jerry M. Rosenbaum, MD.
Book review of What's Wrong With Me? (The Frustrated Patient's Guide to Getting an Accurate Diagnosis), by Lynn M. Dannheisser and Jerry M. Rosenbaum, MD.
Using Health Website Symptom Checkers
When we experience unusual symptoms, we are curious about their causes. Even before we see our doctor or have a medical test, we want to know the answers about what could be causing those symptoms. Symptom checker applications are available on many health websites, but how accurate can they be?
When we experience unusual symptoms, we are curious about their causes. Even before we see our doctor or have a medical test, we want to know the answers about what could be causing those symptoms. Symptom checker applications are available on many health websites, but how accurate can they be?