A second opinion is an opinion on a matter disputed by two or more parties.
What is second opinion doctor?
Listen to pronunciation. (SEH-kund uh-PIN-yun) In medicine, the opinion of a doctor other than the patient’s current doctor. The second doctor reviews the patient’s medical records and gives an opinion about the patient’s health problem and how it should be treated.
What’s the best way to get a second opinion?
Trust your gut and gather more information. Ask questions about your prescriptions. Talk to friends. Meet with a new doctor. And read about your condition. No one should ever feel like they have to follow the doctor’s orders without asking questions and gathering more information. Very few healthcare decisions have to be made on the spot.
Why is it important to get a second opinion after a diagnosis?
People make mistakes every day, and doctors are not immune to this fact. What’s more, some doctors are more conservative while others tend to be more aggressive. So their findings and recommendations can vary dramatically. For this reason, more and more patients are getting second opinions after a diagnosis.
Is it wise to agree to surgery without a second opinion?
It is never wise to agree to surgery or another invasive procedure without exploring your options. Yet, some people feel that if a doctor suggests a procedure, they have to agree to it. But remember it is your body and your life. You absolutely have a say in what treatments you agree to.
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.
