I Lost A Relative To Medical Error, It's The No. 3 Cause Of Death In America
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Didn’t Know Death By Doctor Was The No. 3 Cause Of Death In America, Until It Took My Grandma’s Life

We need to have an open conversation about medical errors

1312
I Didn’t Know Death By Doctor Was The No. 3 Cause Of Death In America, Until It Took My Grandma’s Life

I recently found out my grandmother died due to medical error. Without this error, she may very well still be alive today. You'd think this is more of a freak accident than a common occurrence. You'd think medically-related deaths would rank at the very bottom of any death statistic list, at least this was my thinking before did a quick google search on deaths due to medical error. I was shocked to learn that medical error is the third-leading cause of death in America.

We need to have a conversation about this.

And yes, when I say conversation, I mean an actual conversation with talking and listening. Am I upset that countless lives have been taken before their time? Yes! But waging a war with doctors won't bring anyone back.

What we need now is knowledge.

Don't mindlessly follow whatever your doctor tells you and your loved ones. Ask questions, do your own research, be an ally for a sick family member and research and ask questions for them when they can't. If you can afford it and have the time, get a second opinion if you are having doubts about a serious procedure. If a doctor is treating you badly, call him or her out on it. A good doctor will not feel threatened by your knowledge and curiosity. A good doctor will be patient with you and want to work with you and will apologize if he did something wrong.

What we need now is understanding

Most doctors are these good doctors, or at the very least try to be. It's so easy to point fingers and throw blame when we are upset and passionate and that's OK. It's OK to be upset. But we also need to listen. We need to make sure our doctors are being heard. We need to protect and respect the good ones and hold the bad ones accountable for their actions. We need to create an environment where we are all working together towards a common goal: patient health, safety, and wellbeing.

Change starts with us

I don't claim to have all the answers on how to combat this problem. The only thing I know for sure is that we need to start talking about this. So please, share this article, do some research, make some social media posts, share your story, advocate for your family and loved ones and whatever else it takes to start making noise about this. Change starts with us.

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55189
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35551
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957623
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185065
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments