S p o t l i g h t O n H e a l t h V e c t o r F o u n d e r ; D a n M i r i c a
Until 2015 I was healthy and
active. I never had any serious
health issues nor surgeries. I
dared to even consider myself
lucky. But everything changed
suddenly in May 2015. It started
with a mild indigestion that
wouldnt go away. The pain
was getting worse and I had to
go to the ER at one of the top
hospitals in Boston. The doctor
in the ER did not listen as I
tried to explain the symptoms
and signs I had been experiencing
during the last two weeks.
The hospital discharged me
with no diagnosis. I went home
in pain and disbelief, not
knowing what was wrong with
me. Over the weekend I wasn't
feeling better and was desperate
for a diagnosis and treatment.
It took me two hours
Monday morning to get a same
day appointment with a specialist
at another hospital. This
time the doctor listened, looked
at me while consulting (not at
the computer screen or charts)
and within a few minutes sent
me urgently to the ER for a CT
scan. The scan revealed my
critical acute condition and in
less than an hour I was on my
way to the operating room. It
was a long and successful operation
followed by a prolonged
recovery period. The
correct diagnosis is the reason
Im alive today and able to resume
my normal life. I believe
that had I been better prepared
for the first visit to the ER, I
would have been more articulate
and coherent regarding my
symptoms. Instead I was
frightened and confused.
I'm very thankful to the doctor
who listened and partnered
with me to arrive at the correct
diagnosis. My traumatic experience
drove me to read about
misdiagnosis and patient engagement.
To my surprise this
is a problem with a significant
impact on people's lives. Every
9 minutes a person dies in US
as a result of misdiagnosis. The
numbers are similar in Europe.
It's important to be prepared,
informed and join the
healthcare provider who you
entrust your health with, in
finding the best treatment options.
Helping others avoid my
experience is what drove me to
start Health Vector and I'm
joined by a team of inspired
and talented individuals to
bring this vision to life. My
dream is to see everyone take
charge of health information
and when the time
comes find the best treatment
by partnering with clinicians.
It is possible and within
our reach. So reach out and
stay in control of your health
information. Co-write the diagnosis
narrative with your
doctor.
Health Vector is a health and
wellness technology company
inspired by the simple understanding
that an improvement
in health literacy translates to
healthier lifestyles and a
stronger partnership between
patients and clinicians.
We empower people to gain
the skills, knowledge and confidence
to act and improve
health outcomes and lower
costs.
Join the Health Vector App:
healthvector.world/our-mission