The Importance of a Second Opinion

Today, people are becoming more involved in their own healthcare, due to changes in health coverage plans, improvements in healthcare technology and treatments, and disease management and discoveries. These factors are playing a large role in patients who are seeking a second opinion. NFCR highlights some of the most common reasons to opt for another opinion, as well as ways to go about it.

Based on one’s current doctor-patient relationship, the patient should know whether their doctor is more conservative or aggressive about relaying health information. For example, a doctor may sugar-coat an illness to keep the patient at ease, instead of bluntly giving the facts. Considering the situation at hand, a second opinion may be a good idea to get the desired information. In cancer patient cases, second opinions regarding diagnosis, treatment plans and cancer specialists are very common and well-recommended. Medical experts note a second opinion is a good idea if you are:

Considering a major surgery or are told additional surgery is needed Diagnosed with a life-threatening disease such as heart disease or cancer Given a poor or unclear diagnosis on health problem Asked to participate in a clinical trial Considering a provider quality check A team approach to delivering quality healthcare is commonly utilized when dealing with severe bodily injuries, serious illnesses and diseases, including cancer. Most cancer patients will have a team of doctors and nurses during cancer treatment. Second opinions, even third opinions in certain cases, are not uncommon. Physicians work with one another on many acute patient cases and they will ask for a second opinion from a colleague or specialist.

Additionally, patients can seek a “blind” second opinion, meaning that medical records, test results and first physician’s opinion are not made available to the second physician. Though in most cases it is up to the patient whether to share second opinion options with his/her first doctor, there are advantages and disadvantages to both.