With increasing incidences of medical negligence, the need for spreading awareness and educating women regarding the same has been considerably aroused. The misdiagnosis of some diseases such as cancer can be life threatening. Cancer is a deadly disease and if left untreated can spread very quickly. Some patients who suffer from cancer are told they only have a certain amount of time left to live.

There is no way to predict what will happen when a test is run or medicine is administered. The only things that can be controlled in medicine are the actions by doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff.

In an environment with more patients than medical professionals and a huge number of cases per nurse, it is not surprising that sometimes things go wrong. What is surprising are the number of accidents that could have been prevented with simple check lists.

Before choosing a medical practitioner you need to ask yourself certain questions and then decide in whose hands you would be safe and taken care off, the best.

Is the Doctor Certified

The first question you need to be informed about is your doctors registration number. Patients are told that a board certified doctor is a good choice for a practitioner. Taking the time to verify a board membership is worth the effort and will help ensure that the doctor meets at least a minimum competency for handling your healthcare. Patients need to check the credentials of the doctor and the board from which s/he is certified. If a doctor claims to be certified by a medical board, you'll need to be sure that the body that certifies him or her is a bona fide medical specialty board.

Years of Experience

There is no doubt that years of patient experience accumulated by older physicians can be a significant advantage. A physician with many years of experience may have better clinical judgment, which could translate into improved ability to diagnose and manage complex health problems. In general, if your priority is someone familiar with current evidenced-based standards of care, you may want to opt for a younger physician. And if you have multiple, complex health problems, or put a premium on bedside manner, you may lean toward an older one.

Male vs. Female

Some research suggests that women prefer getting care from female doctors; that's particularly true for screening tests for breast, cervical, and colon cancer. Other research hints that female physicians may do a better job than male ones in providing basic preventive services to both women and men. So if you're particularly concerned about preventive health care, consider seeing a female doctor-especially if you're a woman yourself.

Are you Comfortable Answering Questions?

Medical history is an important aspect of treatment. There are number of questions that need to be answered before the line of treatment is draw. The doctor might ask about your family history, previous relationships (if any), dietary pattern or some very personal questions that need to be answered. The doctor is your health support and you should be in a position to answer all his/her questions without hesitation for the best possible treatment. Misdiagnosis can result in case of incomplete information. In case your doctor asks you to undergo certain medical test, understand the urgency and need, and take action accordingly.

Are you Looking for a Collaborative Partner or a Trusted Leader?

The caricature of the average primary-care doctor has gradually shifted from the father figure who makes medical decisions for you to a technician who lays out an array of treatment options for you to choose from with hardly a word of guidance.

The reality, of course, is that a good doctor has always been someone whose judgment you trust but who is also willing to take your preferences into account and to admit when the medical evidence is uncertain. Most physicians combine both characteristics, at least to some extent. Still, doctors do tend to lean toward either relying mainly on their professional judgment or using a shared decision-making model that involves actively educating patients and seeking their input.

If you feel cheated in your dealing you can consult a lawyer, or a medical negligence solicitor.

This article is submitted by Women Fitness(http://www.womenfitness.net)