My Dr. Has Had 3 Malpractice Cases...What to do?

[missaboo]

Hi everyone,

I have my first appt. with a gynecological oncologist on October 13th. I did a search by Google to try to find out more about either the clinic he had or his main office. Well, I came up on something interesting. My Dr. has had 3 malpractice suits filed against him in the past few years, two of which being over Diagnosis. One was a dismissal.

O.M.G. If I was not freaked out enough over the whole, "I could have cancer" thing. Now I find out that this Dr., who is the Associate Professor and Director of Div. of Gyn/Onc has had this happen?

I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't have insurance, so if the clinic cannot help me get a medical card, the Dr. will write off my bills as charity. Seriously. Why me? What should I do to make sure I get the correct diagnosis from this guy?

FYI, here is where I have found the information: http://www.wvbom.wv.gov/licenseDMDetail.asp?IndividualID=11322#M

Wow. Not sure what to think right now.

[OCFB]

I agree with shewrites.  I have worked in medical schools all my life and when I got sick in '03, my choice was UM Sylvester (Florida).  It is true that these facilities see the most difficult cases, but their experience gives their patients a better chance in my opinion.  I'd go with your  'gut feeling' after your first appointment.  Good luck and keep us informed.
Linda

[shewrites]

If the doctor is the director of the division of gyn/onc, he likely has a good background and reputation.  However, it may be that he's seeing the most difficult cases, where the results could be dicey in any event.  I'd go to him, get  his opinion, and, if I was uncomfortable, I would try to get a second opinion from another doctor before I proceeded.  If he has a good track record with surgeries, that would count a lot with me in terms of proceeding to surgery.  

PS:  I'm assuming that he's not a one-man department.

[marie3B]

Yes, I'd bring it up.  I would also want the biopsy.  Good Luck.  Marie

[missaboo]

Hi Marie,

That is what my husband was saying. That sometimes doctors get slapped unfairly with a suit. I am just wondering what happened in my doctor's case. 2 say because of Diagnosis. The other was a dismissal. Another doctor about an hour from him was hit with a suit because of "Failure to Order Appropriate Medication" and the suit was settled for $100,000. I am not a sue happy person, but I am worried still that maybe he may diagnose me incorrectly. Of course I have been worried this entire time. I have 10 days to go until my first visit. I don't know what he'll want to do. If he'll just want to keep an eye on the tumor through ultrasound, or if he will want to open me up and do a biopsy. I'd rather he do a biopsy.

Anyway, thanks. I may bring this up with him when I go.

[marie3B]

Sometimes a doc gets slapped with a malpractice suit unfairly.  In my state there are so many frivolous law suits that many excellent doctors have left to go out of state to avoid the high malpractice insurance.  I know of a family in my city that sued their mom's doctor because the oncologist gave her chemo and it did'nt work.  True some are quack docs that deserve to be punished, but most good doctors are doing things the best they can and are still blamed when things don't go perfectly.  Sometime people are money hungry and are trying to make a quick buck off of a doc, some are so sad over the loss of their loved one that they just have to blame someone.

Legit cases of malpractice really do happen, just not as often as cases are filed.  A woman here on this site had a case of malpractice and won because she deserved to win and her docs were 100% in the wrong.  I know it is hard not to worry and it wouldn't hurt to raise your concerns with your doc.  I know how hard it is to have to put your life in the hands of a new doc.  Been there.  Good luck to you.  Marie

[missaboo]

After a more thorough search, I  have found that every gyn/ono in this state, but ONE has had at least one malpractice suit involvement. Wow. Scratching my head here.