Medical errors Almost every fourth patient suspects wrong therapy

TK: About one in four insured persons think that they have been mistreated
For many citizens, after the medical treatment remains a bad feeling. According to a recent survey, 23 percent of 18- to 39-year-olds suspect that they have been mistreated at least once in a hospital or doctor's office.

More and more medical errors
Wrong or inadequate treatments in medical practices or hospitals are not uncommon. As reported by the medical service of the Kassen-Spitzenverband (MDS), more and more patients have been affected by treatment errors in recent years. In addition, there are many people who assume that not everything has been done right in their treatment.

According to a recent survey, almost one in four 18- to 39-year-olds suspect that they have been mistreated at least once in a hospital or doctor's office. (Image: Coloures-pic / fotolia.com)

Almost one in four suspects wrong treatment
According to a recent Forsa survey commissioned by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), 23 percent of 18- to 39-year-olds suspect that they have been mistreated at least once in a hospital or doctor's office. Among chronic patients of all ages, this proportion is even higher at 25 percent, the health insurance company writes in a statement.

But what to do about treatment errors? "Once a patient suspects a treatment error, he should proceed systematically. The first step is to compile a memory protocol of the treatment process and to write down the names of the doctors and nurses involved ", recommends Christian Soltau, medical law expert at TK. The burden of proof lies primarily with the patient.

Help or advice sought
According to the survey, more than half of the respondents of all ages (53 percent), who fear that their treatment was not correct, have turned to someone for help or advice - most of them (72 percent) other doctor such as the family doctor. Only 18 percent of those affected then turned to their health insurance or health insurance.

Look for a conversation with the doctor involved
Last year, more than 3,000 cases of suspected treatment were reported to people with TC. Most suspected cases (1,204) were recorded in surgery. According to the information, the TK had 1.460 cases to produce an expert opinion, of which 68 landed in court.

Who can patients contact if a treatment error is suspected? The TK advises first to look for the conversation with the doctor involved. If this does not lead to a satisfactory result, insured persons also have the opportunity to seek advice from the health insurance company by phone or online. (Ad)