Be careful...

[PeterCH]

I had an accident and had a hard fall recently.

Let's just say that an emergency doctor, radiologist and specialist,
all 3 missed a very obvious fracture on an xray which could have left
me paralysed. It was picked up days later. I never got a look
at my own xray because in SA you're treated like an infant.

Had this been the US of A I would already be suing all 3, the hospital
and everyone within a perimeter of 2km for the issue. Conveniently no-one
apologised and my initial XR report disappeared.

So folks PRIVATE HEALTH CARE, if you think you're getting CLOSE
to the world's best - errrr........forget it.

Obviously I can't mention any names but I so do want to sue, maybe when
I recover take the xrays to my old profs and friends and then open up....

My message is, ask the youngster in Casualty to double check EVERYTHING. If you
have a lot of pain, don't assume he/she knows. Complain and get second opinions.
Sadly the South African medical establishment still has a very paternal attitude
and people take things personally instead of giving the patient understanding.

I realised that medical malpractice lawyers (my own feared enemies) are actually good and keep people
on their toes.

 

[Turiko]

I so do want to sue

Peter. I am sorry to hear what happened to you. Maybe now you can take a bit of a rest while recovering and enjoy some anime. Anyway this is not the USA and it is very difficult to sue the medical profession. Speaking from experience.

 

[Ecco]

And now imagine, you didnt even have private healthcare like the majority in this country, fun times.

 

[WiseCrack]

I was involved in a very serious bicycle accident while busy training. Got T-boned by a car. Broke 11 ribs and suffered a collapsed lung when a rib punctured it. Went to one of the "best" private hospitals and one of the top specialists attended to me.

My shoulder was killing me and he kept on saying it's muscle that tore that is causing the terrible pain. When I went for a check up and complained that the shoulder was still killing me he mentioned to me in a very casual manner that he forgot to tell me my scapula(spelling) was also fractured.

 

[Geriatrix]

I had an accident and had a hard fall recently.

Let's just say that an emergency doctor, radiologist and specialist,
all 3 missed a very obvious fracture on an xray which could have left
me paralysed. It was picked up days later. I never got a look
at my own xray because in SA you're treated like an infant.

Had this been the US of A I would already be suing all 3, the hospital
and everyone within a perimeter of 2km for the issue. Conveniently no-one
apologised and my initial XR report disappeared.

So folks PRIVATE HEALTH CARE, if you think you're getting CLOSE
to the world's best - errrr........forget it.

Obviously I can't mention any names but I so do want to sue, maybe when
I recover take the xrays to my old profs and friends and then open up....

My message is, ask the youngster in Casualty to double check EVERYTHING. If you
have a lot of pain, don't assume he/she knows. Complain and get second opinions.
Sadly the South African medical establishment still has a very paternal attitude
and people take things personally instead of giving the patient understanding.

I realised that medical malpractice lawyers (my own feared enemies) are actually good and keep people
on their toes.

Sue 'em.
Thats a very serious oversight and besides, they've got malpractice insurance anyway so they'll be able to pay.

 

[Devill]

Sue 'em.
Thats a very serious oversight and besides, they've got malpractice insurance anyway so they'll be able to pay.

+1, Dont go all out but get everything covered...

Good to hear you are (almost) OK.

 

[Sherbang]

It was picked up days later. I never got a look
at my own xray because in SA you're treated like an infant.

Sorry about your accident. I've also just had to have xrays on my neck - mine were given to me 15 min after being taken and the report was faxed to my regular doctor at the same time, so I wonder why they didn't give you yours - I would definitely kick up a fuss about that.

Anyway hope you recover quick!

Had this been the US of A I would already be suing all 3, the hospital
and everyone within a perimeter of 2km for the issue. Conveniently no-one
apologised and my initial XR report disappeared.

You can sue people in this country too
But seriously, unfortunately suing doctors is renowned to be difficult, takes years and very seldom produces a positive outcome. Most people don't bother

Oh, and on the side, if you think health care in USA is wonderful, watch sicko for a different point of view! But yes, it is better than ours

 

[Ecco]

get second opinions

 

[Ecco]

Oh, and on the side, if you think health care in USA is wonderful, watch sicko for a different point of view!

Sicko is more about price of healthcare and medical aid schemes and how they shaft paying customers rather then the actual quality of healthcare.

But yes, it is better than ours

PS, to believe the general state of healthcare offered in a third world country is gonna be better then that of a first world country is you have seriously out of sync expectations.