Physicians and patients working together can help prevent medical mistakes, according to Dr. Jerome Groopman.

"Most physicians within seconds generate an idea about what's wrong with a person. About 80% of the time we're right, but about 20% of the time we're wrong," said Dr. Groopman.

In his book, "How Doctors Think," Groopman says he and his colleagues work under tremendous time pressure and sometimes take dangerous shortcuts to a diagnosis.

"You as a patient can help us think better and can help prevent us from making these thinking mistakes," said Dr. Groopman.

He suggests bringing along a family member or friend to a doctor's appointment to help ask key questions.

"What else could it be? Meaning we should open our mind up again and not stay stuck to that first impression. Is there any thing, any finding on physical examination, on laboratory test on x-ray that contradicts what you think the diagnosis is," said Dr. Groopman.

If a symptom is not getting better or a prescribed treatment is not working, groopman recommends going back to the doctor for re-evaluation.