9 Common Medical Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Every day we make dozens of decisions that affect our well-being. We do the best we can, but some choices do more harm than good. Top doctors from across the country list the mistakes they wish their patients would avoid.

By Sandra Gordon

Medical Mistake 1: No Primary-Care Doctor

Women who have a gynecologist but not a primary-care doctor need to go doctor shopping. “Women should have both an ob-gyn and a primary-care provider (PCP),” says Michael Roizen, M.D., division chair at the Cleveland Clinic and co-author of You: The Smart Patient (Free Press; 2006). Primary-care providers have broad-based medical knowledge and training in prevention. “There are so many nuances in drug therapy and drug interactions that PCPs are expert in,” Roizen says.
           
Both men and women need a primary-care doctor to ensure they undergo age-appropriate screening tests. If they should need a specialist, primary-care doctors are responsible for coordinating care.

Fix It: Interview several doctors to find one you’re compatible with. Clues a doctor is right for you:

• The waiting room has patients similar to your age.
• The doctor seems knowledgeable about the health issues that concern you.