Radiology magazine reports that doctors surveyed would not report errors
According to HealthImaging.com, radiologists would be reluctant, and a majority would not inform patients of errors in interpreting previous x-rays. A physician from the departments of medicine and bioethics at the University of Washington conducted a study that surveyed 364 radiology specialists from seven different geographic regions. He found that if presented with a historical error in mammogram interpretation, only 15 percent answered that they would inform the patient "that an error had occurred" and that calcifications had increased in number between mammograms.24 percent reported that they would not say anything to the patient, while 31 percent indicated they would tell the patient "the calcifications are larger and now are suspicious for cancer" without addressing the previous error. 30 percent indicated that they would tell the patient that "the calcifications may have increased on your mammogram, but their appearance is notas worrisome as they are now."
In Michigan, women presented with this misleading, inadequate, and perhaps fraudulent interpretation of their history would have six months from the date of the conversation to file a lawsuit: no wonder only 1 in 8 victims of malpractice actually sue. Many can't count on getting the truth until it is too late.