Dr. Kiley asks Dr. Welby for a second opinion (circa 1970). What was the story? A crusty patient does not believe Dr. Kiley’s diagnosis and demands a second opinion from Dr. Welby. Oh, the drama, the crushed feelings of Dr. Kiley, the wisdom of Dr. Welby, and the horror that neither knows how to use a microscope!
Holly Finn wrote an article today in the Wall Street Journal “First of All, Get a Second Opinion” (WSJ March 23, 2013). She is strongly in favor of second opinions for two basic reasons: there are now more successful companies that specialize in second opinions and 60% of people who seek a second opinion obtain recommendations which are less invasive and less costly. But, she is taking the statistics out of context. 99% of people do not get a second opinion but the 1% who find a problem with the first opinion are often correct another solution is better. The take-home lesson, like many things in life, if something does not sound right, it’s probably not.
Contrary to popular belief most physicians are very happy to help a patient get a second opinion. Why? Because a patient who feels uneasy with a situation will not follow directions, will not take prescribed medications, and will be hyper-critical if the outcome of treatment or surgery does not meet their expectations. So, all a patient has to do to get a second opinion is to ask the provider (“do you think a second opinion would help us?”).
It is important to keep the primary care provider “in the loop”. The best consultations or second opinions happen when there is a good exchange of information — what has been done, what tests show and what medications have been tried.
When should a person ask for a second opinion?
- When a provider is unable or unwilling to discuss your questions or the information you have found in books or the Internet. An unending barrage of questions is counterproductive — be prepared by doing your homework and ask a few good questions.
- When you simply do not understand the diagnosis.
- Give your provider an opportunity to adjust medications if side effects happen or if medications are not working as expected. A second opinion is a good idea if the treatments and modifications are not working.
- When the provider is unable to make a diagnosis of a problem.
- When you have been diagnosed with a life threatening condition — you may not get a second chance for a second opinion so don’t wait. Sometimes a bad situation can not be cured — at least you will have some comfort that what can be done is being done.
- When your doctor is not giving you more than one option for treatment — there is always an option (perhaps not a good one, but there is always a choice)
- When you are uneasy about the need for any surgery. A CNN report lists 5 surgeries that should trigger a second opinion:
- Heart bypass surgery (get a second cardiologist opinion)
- Hysterectomy (often not needed)
- Pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality (because the diagnosis can be difficult)
- Surgery for varicose veins (often not needed)
- Treatments for brain tumors (a really big step)
- Sometimes insurance companies require a second opinion for certain problems. Listen carefully to that second opinion even if you were happy with the first opinion. There is indeed a lot of unnecessary testing and surgery which can be dangerous for you and expensive for the insurance company.
