When to get a second opinion on a diagnose?
Getting that second opinion can help catch errors. “Anytime there’s uncertainty, it’s always fine [to get a second opinion],” Tomaszewski says. “Pathology is like every other area of medicine. There are things that are very clear and things that are on the borderline.” 2. ADHD in Children Under Age 6
Which is a better hospital for a second opinion?
Major medical centers that see larger numbers of rare or unusual tumors are often a better choice for a second opinion than a smaller hospital, according to John S.J. Brooks, MD, FASCP, president of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. “These folks that have very rare tumors, [a hospital] near them may only see very few,” he says.
Do you need a second opinion for depression?
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Primary care physicians often diagnose cases of depression, but sometimes a second opinion from a psychiatrist is in order.
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.
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.
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.