Study reveals alarming rates of harm from medical misdiagnoses

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Jul 2023 15:06

An estimated 795,000 Americans endure long-term disability or even lose their lives due to medical misdiagnoses, a new study shows.

Members of the medical staff treat a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit in Houston, Texas. (AFP)

A recent study by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has exposed a disturbing reality. An estimated 795,000 Americans endure long-term disability or even lose their lives due to medical misdiagnoses. Shockingly, the actual number of affected individuals might be even higher, reaching up to 1.02 million. Tragically, almost half of those misdiagnosed, approximately 371,000 patients, suffer fatal outcomes. Dr. David Newman-Toker, director of the Johns Hopkins diagnostic excellence center, described diagnostic errors as a critically under-resourced public health crisis.

The research identified five diseases most prone to misdiagnosis, accounting for 38.7% of all cases: stroke, sepsis, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, and lung cancer. These errors often occur when patients present symptoms that deviate from the typical indicators of the disease, making diagnosis challenging. For example, strokes may manifest as dizziness, headaches, or fatigue, rather than the more well-known signs like slurred speech and weakness on one side.

Despite the rarity of adverse outcomes, Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta encouraged, during an appearance on CNN, patients to take an active role in their healthcare to minimize risks. Asking pertinent questions such as "What could be causing my problem?" and "What else could it be?" may prompt doctors to consider alternative diagnoses, particularly for those managing a high patient load.

The study's authors provided a glimmer of hope, revealing that only 15 diseases contribute to over 50% of misdiagnoses. Increased awareness of less familiar symptoms and treatments could significantly reduce diagnostic errors. For instance, low-dose CT scans are now recommended by the American Cancer Society for high-risk individuals, offering improved early detection for lung cancer compared to traditional chest X-rays.

Though perfect diagnostic accuracy remains a challenge for complex diseases, patient empowerment, active inquiry, and ongoing research can be powerful weapons against this healthcare crisis. By equipping patients and medical professionals alike with knowledge, progress can be achieved in mitigating the devastating consequences of medical misdiagnoses.