We want to trust our healthcare professionals. But doctors are people, too. They don’t always act ethically or responsibly. While it’s important to seek medical treatment if you are ill or injured, how do you know what to do if your healthcare professional treats you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable?
Medical Treatment in the United States
Most of the time, your doctor or nurse will use their expert skills to diagnose and treat you with the utmost care, caution, and respect. According to the Pew Research Center findings, 74% of Americans have a positive overall view of medical doctors.
Unfortunately, some patients do not experience treatment that meets the ethical or behavior standards that healthcare professionals are sworn to uphold. While these cases may be exceptional, they do happen. Communities need to be aware of and address healthcare misconduct concerns.
What is Medical Misconduct?
Medical professional misconduct can range from receiving an insult from your doctor to blatant discrimination to fraudulent billing. Minor grievances such as unclear communication or poor bedside manner do not usually constitute misconduct.
Medical misconduct is more likely to involve:
- Medical harm from medical error or inadequate skill
- Poor quality of care, including medication errors or scheduling unnecessary procedures
- Negligence or malpractice
- Unethical billing
- Blantant discrimination
- Inappropriate sexual behavior
- Patient neglect or abandonment
Being on the receiving end of a medical misconduct incident can be confusing and overwhelming. If you or someone you know has experienced a transgression while receiving medical treatment, know there are steps you can take.
Consult a Patient Advocate, Therapist, or Lawyer
When an inappropriate or unethical incident involves a trusted figure or institution, such as a doctor or nurse, it can be hard to know how to proceed. However, there are professionals who specialize in helping people navigate such incidents.
A patient advocate, therapist, or lawyer can help you make sense of what’s happening and offer aid as you decide what you will do. Will you speak to the healthcare facility management? File an official complaint? Will you seek legal action? Will your concerns be addressed?
All of these questions are valid. With proper support—whether from a mental health professional or a trusted member of the professional community—you can more easily take the required steps to deal with the situation.
Change Healthcare Professionals
A patient may consider changing doctors for many reasons, including a recent move, a change in insurance provider, or a small grievance, such as feeling rushed or having long office waiting times. If you feel that your doctor has acted inappropriately or unethically, it’s advisable to seek a new provider as soon as possible.
You may want to ask for a different professional working in the same clinic or switch to a different clinic entirely. Be sure to thoroughly review the credentials and reviews of any potential new healthcare provider. Ask for recommendations from part of your larger community.
File an Official Complaint
In the United States, medical misconduct complaints are filed through the state medical board. Depending on the severity of the incident, you may also consider filing a police report. Depending on your state, you may be able to file directly online. Some states may require a written letter to be mailed.
Your complaint will be investigated and the outcome of the investigation will determine the resulting action. In some cases, if a certain provider has received multiple complaints, they could lose their medical license or be subjected to legal action—both criminal and civil.
While filing an official complaint may feel scary, it’s important to realize that the system is designed to protect patients and that it actually works. A recent example involves Dr. Tyler James Hurst, a former emergency room doctor. As reported by Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, Dr. Hurst is currently facing several charges after several patients came forward and reported sexual misconduct.
Take Care of Yourself
Experiencing inappropriate behavior from a medical professional can be frustrating, hurtful, and traumatic. It may reduce your ability to trust those in the medical community, which could impact your access to essential health services.
Be patient with yourself and seek help if needed. Aside from professionals such as lawyers and therapists, consider reaching out to a trusted friend or reliable member of your community to help you cope or work through difficult feelings that may be associated with an experience of misconduct with your doctor.
Conclusion
Most doctors and nurses are highly certified, well-trained, and dedicated to maintaining their ethical and moral oath to do no harm. However, a small percentage of these professionals act in a way that is inappropriate or even illegal. It’s important to know that if you have an experience with a medical professional that feels off, there are steps you can take to address the situation.
