Seeking a second opinion

Susan Locke: Getting a medical second opinion is always in your best interests . . .

If you have any doubts about a diagnosis or treatment plan, get a second opinion. Even if you like or trust your physician, it’s natural to wonder if something was missed or if a new treatment is available.

Even if most second opinions just confirm what you already know, they still play an important role. A second opinion offers peace of mind. With the exception of true emergency treatment, decisions regarding your health should be made after you have been completely informed about your diagnosis, prognosis and available treatment options.

A second opinion could be very helpful when:

• Surgery is recommended
• You are diagnosed with a life-threatening diagnosis
• You’ve been advised to have a radical treatment when less drastic treatments exist
• Your physician recommends you have long-term medical treatment
• Your physician recommends a risky or experimental treatment
• Your physician doesn’t know what is wrong with you
• The medical treatment you are on is not working

Many physicians welcome another physician’s input. Don’t worry that your physician will be angry with you. If your physician is put out because you want to get a second opinion, perhaps this physician is not the right one for you.

If you do decide to seek a second opinion, here are some general recommendations:

• Healthnetwork can help you identify top physicians and hospitals.
• It’s a general practice that physicians will not give opinions over the phone; you will need to make an appointment.
• Choose a physician who is an expert in your medical condition. Physicians with clinical expertise will be aware of all the options for treatment as well as clinical trials.
• Make sure you have all of your records including x-rays, scans, blood work, biopsy reports, etc. Most physicians like to receive this information in advance of the appointment.
• Many physicians and patient advocacy groups suggest that you provide the second opinion physician with all the data, but not reveal the first physician’s recommendation upfront to try to get the most unbiased second opinion. This is not always possible to do because this information is usually in your records somewhere.
• Ask your insurance company if a second opinion is covered. Sometimes insurance companies require a second opinion for some elective procedures.

So what happens after you get a second opinion? The second opinion may confirm your first diagnosis or treatment recommendation, which can be reassuring. The second opinion may explain things in a way which you may find more understandable.

The second opinion may differ from the first regarding diagnosis, treatment plan or both. In this situation, the best course of action is to get a third opinion from another expert at another institution. In the majority of cases, two of the opinions will be similar. Remember that being informed is the best way to feel confident in your choice of treatment.

To schedule a second opinion appointment with a specialist, please call or email Healthnetwork Foundation today.

SUSAN LOCKE, MD, is Healthnetwork Foundation’s medical director.

HEALTHNETWORK is a Legatus membership benefit, a healthcare “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. One Call Starts It All: (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. Email: [email protected]