Incompetant Doctors... What should I do?

Question

In Oct06 I went to the doctor feeling because my hair was falling out. Blood tests showed I was anemic.

A different doctor gave me results (lets call her Dr. 2), & prescribed multi-vitamins. I told her I've been taking multi-vitamins for the past 4yrs every day, so surely they wont make any difference. She said hers were better...

I went back again in December as things werent improving. I wanted Thyroid T3 & T4 tests in addition as I have a history & family history of thyroid disease. It took another 3 blood tests and the help of Dr.3, to finally get a T4 test, its a long story-problems with pathology.. I never did get tested for T3.

I went to see Dr.2 in Feb (all Drs are at the same surgery), & she referred me to Dermatology.

So, 6months after my 1st doctors visit this specialist wonders why I've been sent to him - and FINALLY I get prescribed Iron tablets - which they should have done in the 1st place!

What can I do (asides changing doctor's surgery). Can I take legal action?

FAO Professor C:
I couldnt fit it in here, but I have been taking iron tablets ever since they prescribed the vitamins & minerals in November.

In January I told the doctor this and he had a MASSIVE go at me for taking iron tablets, saying i should stop immediately as it's extremely dangerous to overdose on them. Yet, since then, the Dermatologist has prescribed a much higher dosage leaving me even more confused.

Anyway, this is irrelevent to this discussion - as I have raised a different question regarding the medical side of this problem in the health section.

I asked in this section merely to get some advice on the legal aspect, or to find out where I should complain to.

Answer 1

you could complain to an attorney in your area who does medical malpractice. he or she would be more savvy of the laws and whatnot in your state. having said that, medical malpractice suits are expensive. unless you find an attorney willing to invest, or you have considerable assets to fund same, you don't really have much of a leg to stand on. you haven't really been seriously injured (as of yet)...even if you successfully brought suit and won, your award is likely to be low, perhaps only barely enough to reimburse the costs of the case. i don't think it's worth it but again ask an attorney yourself. they can answer your questions much more satisfactorily than we can. most phone consultations are free. good luck...ps you could always ask for a (fourth?) opinion -- a doctor to look at the situation as a cohesive whole -- the attorney may be able to refer you to one

Answer 2

You cannot. They have all of us over a barrel. They can get by with neglect, murder, you name it.

Your best bet is to read up on nutrition and take care of yourself. If you ever end up in the hospital unable to speak for yourself, I guarantee you, either the hospital or the doctor will kill you.

Answer 3

I'm not sure what you would base a law suit on.

If you knew you needed iron tablets why didn't you buy them?