'If there is any doubt about making a correct diagnosis, a medical practitioner should always decide that an ill person is healthy.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] It is better to be 'safe than sorry'.
2. [1] More tests can confirm whether the person is ill or not.
3. [1] If diagnosed as ill, the healthy person may take medication (but won't do any harm).
4. [1] Being safe prevents a wrong diagnosis, which can be bad for the patient and bad for the practitioner.
5. [1] This is an error and errors should not be made.
6. [1] Medical practitioners should get it right.
7. [1] Assuming illness means the person might be treated for no reason, which could be costly.
8. [1] If a practitioner gets it wrong, the patient might die or sue the practitioner for negligence.
9. [1] Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has been presented.