The Rise of Medical Misdiagnosis
Advocate for your wellness and get the proper healthcare you need
Is your doctor accurately assessing your health concerns? Although specific numbers aren’t available in Canada, it’s estimated that in the US more than 11 percent of medical cases are misdiagnosed. This costs the US medical system billions of dollars a year—and it stands to reason the impact would be similar on the Canadian healthcare system—to say nothing of the health ramifications when you aren’t getting the proper advice on time. Arm yourself with the right questions to advocate for your wellness.
Defining medical misdiagnosis
Diagnostic errors occur when your doctor doesn’t consider the right diagnosis, fails to provide you with a correct diagnosis, or doesn’t provide you with a diagnosis in a timely manner.
A growing problem
Stephanie Jaret’s daughter was born prematurely and spent a month in the infant special care unit. “She was displaying feeding issues that the staff dismissed, and they diagnosed her with a heart condition,” says Jaret. After getting a second opinion from a pediatric cardiologist, Jaret says she “grew increasingly skeptical about the diagnosis.”
Her daughter was later evaluated by a feeding therapist and correctly diagnosed with a feeding disorder. Finally armed with the correct advice, Jaret says her daughter’s health issues were resolved. “This experience highlights the importance of being vigilant when it comes to healthcare providers,” she says.
She isn’t alone. “Some conditions are especially prone to misdiagnosis, particularly those with broad or overlapping symptoms,” explains Michael Genovese, MD, a physician and attorney. “Autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and mental health conditions often present with symptoms similar to other illnesses, requiring a thorough evaluation to diagnose accurately.”
Other common health concerns that have high rates of being misdiagnosed include cancer, infections, and cardiovascular health concerns like heart attacks.
This is often due to overburdened medical systems. “Physicians often handle high patient volumes, which can lead to rushed assessments,” says Genovese. “Additionally, skill gaps—especially with complex or rare conditions—can make accurate diagnoses difficult.”
The good news: approximately 80 percent of diagnostic errors are preventable, especially if you know what to look for and what to ask your doctor.
Does bias play a role?
“Unfortunately, age, gender, and racial biases can affect diagnosis,” warns Genovese, with women and people of colour significantly more likely to receive a misdiagnosis. For instance, women often have their heart attack symptoms dismissed by doctors. “Speak up if your concerns are not being considered or [are] dismissed.”
Act proactively to avoid a misdiagnosis
When going through her misdiagnosis journey, Jaret said she learned two key lessons. “Trust your instincts and ask questions,” she says. “My instincts and observations were valid and important, even when questioning authority and expertise.”
What you ask—and how you seek those answers—is fundamental.
Request (and provide) all the information possible
“Inquire about alternative diagnoses, how they reached the current one, and whether additional tests might help,” recommends Genovese.
For instance, you could ask your doctor, “What else could this be?” Or “Why exactly do you think it’s not [insert]?”
He also recommends communicating any and all of your concerns. “Share all relevant symptoms—even unrelated ones—to give your healthcare provider the fullest picture.”
Ask for a second opinion
As Jaret learned, if something doesn’t feel right—or if the diagnosis or recommended treatment isn’t addressing your needs or explaining or resolving all of your concerns—get a second consultation. “This helps clarify initial ideas and suspicions,” says Courtney Scott, MD, “and aids in ensuring all probable conditions have been explored.”
Get support from a loved one
It can be hard to keep all the details straight, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about a diagnosis. Ask someone to attend your appointments with you. This is specifically helpful for seniors who may find it difficult to self-advocate, or those who already have multiple complex medical conditions.
“Having an advocate makes things easier to communicate and makes sure your concerns are being addressed and not lost during the process,” says Scott.
“Having a medical degree doesn’t guarantee that a professional is always right,” concludes Jaret. “Advocate for the best care, even when it challenges the status quo.”
Triage 101
“Triage quickly determines which patient needs immediate intervention and which patient can safely wait,” says Ramit Sambyal, MD, winner of his hospital’s Patient Safety Champion award.
The importance of triage
“This isn’t just about managing patient flow—it’s about making potentially life-saving decisions under pressure,” says Sambyal. “Many people assume it’s a single assessment, but it’s an ongoing process where [many] may need to be ‘re-triaged’ if symptoms change or worsen.”
Keep medical staff updated
Because things move quickly, Sambyal says you need to “share even subtle changes in how you’re feeling. Small but telling symptoms, like feeling faint or suddenly sweating, are details doctors need to hear.”
Be open and honest
“Many patients try to analyze their symptoms by themselves and thus decide what to share and what not to,” warns Sambyal. “If a doctor doesn’t receive accurate details regarding your condition, you won’t be able to receive the right treatment. We want patients to advocate for themselves without feeling like they’re being a bother—your input could change your course of care in real time.”
This article was originally published in the March 2025 issue of alive magazine.
Joshua Duvauchelle is a regular alive contributor and certified personal trainer who lives in Victoria, BC.
Michelle von Hahn
Shawn Radcliffe