Doctors spend many years obtaining their qualifications. The formal education they acquire gives them extensive knowledge of the human anatomy and various physical ailments.
While confidence is not a bad thing, overconfidence can be costly in the medical field. Patients are entitled to the highest standards of care available, and safety should never be jeopardized. An overly confident doctor is not necessarily a good doctor, and here’s why.
Conditions can be misdiagnosed
Even experts get it wrong sometimes, and an expert who recognizes this will have a chance to correct any mistakes. A complacent doctor may have so much faith in their abilities that they fail to pick up on even the most basic change in a patient’s condition. On top of their expertise, doctors need to form diagnoses based on medical consensus and modern testing methods.
Patient care can suffer
A large part of medical treatment centers around the time that a doctor spends with their patients. A doctor who gets above their station may neglect this duty. Discussions with patients are a significant part of the treatment process, as they allow a more complete medical history and symptoms list to be formed.
A failure to follow up
A doctor may be so satisfied with their initial diagnosis that they deem any follow-up to be unnecessary. The reality is that even the most capable medical professionals are only human, meaning that they are susceptible to making mistakes. Medical treatment is an ongoing process, with the patient’s condition having the potential to literally change in a heartbeat.
Medical professionals owe a duty of care to patients that should not be taken lightly. If you feel that your healthcare has been negligent, there may be legal options open to you.