HELP PREVENT MEDICAL MISTAKES:

Most diagnostic errors occur because doctors lack the patient,'s complete medical history.

I always urge people to learn their full family medical history, because it helps doctors detect conditions that can be hereditary, like heart disease and cancer. You don't want to be so busy that you forget to your own health history. Most diagnostic errors occur because doctors lack the patient,'s complete medical history.

You have the right to access your health information.

call any doctor you have seen in the past 5 years (if you can back further eve better) and ask for your medical records. these files contain much more than just your vitals; they include consent forms, physician's orders, test results, pathology reports, and immunization records. the information could help specialists avoid repeat testing (and spare you unnecessary radiation from scans) or connects the dots to a diagnosis another doctor might have missed. You may have to fill out some paperwork or even pay a small fee (for postage or copies of x-ray or MRI films). but don't let that deter you.

Get second opinion if you still have the time

Unless you're being wheeled into the operating room as you read this, seeking a second opinion or conducting your own additional research might be your best best. Americans never do so, yet research suggests that in up to 30 percent of pathology cases, second opinion can lead to a correct diagnosis.

Search  : Stop worrying that you'll offend your doctor. Smart physicians know that smart patients seek out other pints of view before making major decisions. Begin your search for a second opinion by contacting local chapters of medical associations that specialize in your condition - for example, the American diabetes association or the Lupus Foundation of America. They can help connect you with specialists who practice in your area. what should you do if your first two doctors don't agree? Get a third opinion.

White coat silence. 

Some physician whip through appointment in the time it takes to get a coke from the vending machine, but there need for speed isn't the only thing causing quick visits.there's also a phenomenon know as white-coat silence,which refers to patients' tendency to clam up in the presence of a doctor.

one reason people don't ask questions is that they fear being seen as difficult. Yet a lack of communication

could lead doctors to mistake your silence for comprehension when they explain test results or procedures.
Ask, and ask and ask questions;  it's your appointment ask question. You have already been charged for it !
List all the questions you'll like to ask, and make two copies-- one for you and one for the doctor. That way you won't forget important queries, and your doctor will know what information you want to cover. I also suggest bringing a back up: Ask a family member or a friend to go with you to an appointment. Not only will this person serve as a second set of  eyes and ears, she/he may have questions you would never think to ask.
Safe medication: Two thirds of patient visits end with the doctor pulling out the prescription pad, It's no wonder, then, that more than 10 percent of Americans are currently taking five or more medications. that's a lot of pills to keep straight.
According to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), medication errors (like receiving the wrong dose or taking drugs that don't mix) cause at least one death each day and account for about 103 million injuries a year- a truly alarming figure, considering that such casualties are largely preventable.
if you are taking it, take it with you, (including over the counter supplements) or better still snap pictures of your prescription labels with you camera phone and bring them to your appointment.
take advantage of your pharmacist, she's in best position to sound the alarm on potentially dangerous drug interactions.

Is there another option? 

So let's assume you've received the right diagnosis. there are several alternatives for care , often ranging from the conservative (wait and see) to the aggressive (surgery), and each approach comes with its own risks and benefits. mind you, doctor don't always do a good job of informing you of all your choices. and that can lead to what's known as 'preference misdiagnosis'- when you doctor makes an assumption about which treatment you will want and as result, presents you with only a narrow range of options. 

before signing off on any treatment plan, request information about all available options. One choice may not be better than the other; what does matter is finding the path that best fits your life. says DR Oz