When to ask for a second opinion about a diagnosis?
If you’re restricted, or in a situation where the diagnosis is not clear, or you feel the best treatment exists at another institution, then you need to advocate for yourself quite loudly. WebMD: A recent study of biopsy slides at Johns Hopkins published in the December 1999 issue of the journal Cancer showed a surprising rate of misdiagnoses.
What do I need for a second opinion?
Groopman: Absolutely. One, you need all the medical records and any pathology slides or other test results to give to whoever is giving the second opinion. Two, you want the experts to discuss in an open way what the areas of agreement and disagreement are.
Can you see a different opinion leader at one hospital?
Groopman: You can, but it’s important to see someone at a different institution. Institutional cultures are real, and often an opinion leader at one hospital will do things a certain way and others at that institution will conform to that viewpoint. But at another hospital, even across town, there may be a very different philosophy.
What happens when you get a second opinion?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, getting a second opinion from a different doctor might give you a fresh perspective and new information. It could provide you with new options for treating your condition. Some doctors take a more conservative, or traditional,…
When to get a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic?
Or your condition isn’t responding to the current treatment. According to Mayo Clinic patient educators, taking the time to learn about your condition, and getting a second or third opinion is a reasonable approach. Proactive decision-making will give you a greater degree of control over your treatment.
When to get a second opinion about cancer treatment?
You absolutely have a say in what treatments you agree to. As a result, it may be wise to get a second opinion if your doctor is recommending something as serious as surgery. Being proactive and gathering more information will give you a greater degree of control over your treatment in the end. Get a second opinion if you are diagnosed with cancer.
What kind of Doctor do you go to for a second opinion?
Lisa Sullivan, MS, is a nutritionist and a corporate health and wellness educator with nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. People make mistakes every day, and doctors are not immune to this fact.