misdiagnosis and responsibility?

[SteJacR2Turbo98]

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I know of a case where someone I know went to their doctor because they had been experiencing episodes of extremely rapid palpitations. The doctor immediatly dismissed the palpitations as being the result of either anxiety of physical activity. Two months later this person was rushed to the hospital after having suffered a mild heart attack. Subsequent tests revealed that this person had WPW syndrome which had gone undetected for years, had it been detected and treated the heart attack could have been averted.

To what extent is the doctor responsibly hear for not thoroughly examining the possible causes of the palpitations? Was he in the wrong for dismissing the patient's symptoms as the result of anxiety?

 

[xanthines]

Responsibility? You always have a responsibilty towards your patients. Is the doc liable? That's hard to say on the basis of one paragraph with few details.

-X

I know of a case where someone I know went to their doctor because they had been experiencing episodes of extremely rapid palpitations. The doctor immediatly dismissed the palpitations as being the result of either anxiety of physical activity. Two months later this person was rushed to the hospital after having suffered a mild heart attack. Subsequent tests revealed that this person had WPW syndrome which had gone undetected for years, had it been detected and treated the heart attack could have been averted.

To what extent is the doctor responsibly hear for not thoroughly examining the possible causes of the palpitations? Was he in the wrong for dismissing the patient's symptoms as the result of anxiety?

 

[DrMom]

Please do not use these forums to get medical or legal advice. Closing.