Why You Should Get a Medical Second Opinion
For the average patient, it is enough to hear a doctor allude to a possible life-threatening disease to spur him to action towards the first provided medical recommendation. Unless a person has a death wish on himself or has no particular interest to live longer, this is a very common reaction. Humans have a natural instinct for self-preservation although this is not necessarily a selfish thing. A parent for example would like to stay healthy at least long enough to take care of his children and that is being responsible. However, more recent statistics are telling us that medical misdiagnosis is happening in the real world at an alarming rate, thus the immense advantage of seeking professional medical second opinion.
What is a Medical Second Opinion?
In simple terms, a medical second opinion is a recommendation we seek from another physician aside from the one who regularly treats us or the one who provided the initial information for an existing or just-discovered medical condition. This can result to either a confirmation of the diagnosis of the first doctor or an entirely different point of view. Patients getting a 3rd, 4th, 5th, or many more opinions is not unheard of. However, this is not recommended for patients who are in immediate need of emergency treatment. Those who should seriously be considering taking reasonable time to find the best option among those offered by professional doctors are patients who were advised to undergo non-emergency surgery or other major medical procedures and testings.
Where do you Get Medical Second Opinion?
If you are to seek medical second opinion, be sure to get it from a physician who is at least of equal qualification with your first doctor. It would make better sense to consult a specialist since you are in effect seeking for reliable information. Most doctors welcome the preference of patients to seek for a medical second opinion because human errors are highly possible. Patients should know that they have such right and can ask for their medical records to be shown to another doctor.
Why Seek a Medical Second Opinion?
Surgery and other major medical procedures always have a certain degree of risk attached to them. A medical clearance before an operation will not totally eliminate the possibility of complications or even death. This is the very reason why patients need to seek a medical second opinion. It has to be clear that based on prevailing conditions, such procedure is the best if not the only option left to the patient. Patients who are unsure or not comfortable with an initial recommendation should clear the matter out with the doctor and then proceed to seek a second opinion. What could be worse than having a complication or dying for an unnecessary procedure?
My Say
There is a big difference between making careful medical decisions that involve one’s self or our loved ones and utter recklessness in not taking the necessary action when informed of a medical condition. It is normal to be scared and grab at the first medical solution offered. When circumstances allow it, gather all possible options and choose accordingly. Seek the advise of medical professionals of excellent repute and who does not hesitate to explain to you your real condition, whether good or bad.
In times of sickness, patients do not need scare tactics from doctors. Patients who unfortunately experienced this treatment from their doctors swear to the difficulty of psychological torture more than the physical affliction. Doctors are the best people to go to for our health issues. All the more reason they should understand the importance of leveling with patients. After all, patients will eventually be able to absorb all the information needed about their medical condition after the initial shock. From there, they would be able to arrive at the best decision with the help of caring medical professionals.
Maria Teresa Figuerres
Patients should always seek a medical second opinion especially for serious illnesses because misdiagnosis of medical conditions happen.
Rose Angelie
It may be scaring to know if the condition is very bad, but it’s better to be well-informed and well-diagnosed. I didn’t try asking for second medical opinions yet whenever my family gets sick, but now I am considering this. Thank you!
work@homeMillie
Two months ago, I had a severe stomach pain and I thought I was just bloated. My frist doctor said, dyspepsia. I wasn’t convinced, went to see another doctor and said, I have gallstones and had several tests and ultrasound done. Without my friends online and offline, I wouldn’t really seek for a second or third opinion. My problem was, I trusted my doctor so much. So, from now on, I won’t settle for the first diagnosis. You’re right, it is our right to get another opinion.
Arge
It’s really important to seek for second opinion especially when there’s a need for surgery or when the first diagnosis is something that made you feel really anxious. Thank you for sharing this post, Teresa 🙂
mrsmartinezsweetie
Yes for sure dapat mag seek ng second opinion especially if life threatening yun ailment.
xoxo
MrsMartinez
nicareyes
I agree. There are certain medical procedures that can be too risky, thus the need to ask for second (or more) opinion. Thanks for sharing
Chris Amadors
Second opinion is important especially if the sickness is life-threatening!
Lai Gamboa (@laigamboa8)
I always suggest to go for second opinion or even more. We had terrible experiences in the past already and seeking second opinion really saved us.
Viva Kitchen Goddess
Having a second or even a third opinion is best. There are so many cases of misdiagnosis nowadays….
Louisa Mercado (@2livelovelaugh5)
I strictly go for second and even third opinions depending on how grave the situation.
Maan Laxa
I really can’t think of any reason why anyone should not get a second opinion when it comes to health diagnosis. Better safe than misdiagnosed!
Rowena Wendy Lei 林露薇 (@animetric)
It’s best to seek a second opinion if the diagnosis is something very serious or if you are having even just the shadow of a doubt.
Nicole Paler
I think getting a second opinion most especially if they say the illness is quite severe is crucial here. Cause I’ve seen and encountered times when the doctor would say one ailment only to know that it wasn’t it exactly… Hmm, on a totally different note, I remember that I have to catch up with watching DR. House cause of your post! hehehe
A WAHM Writes (@wahmmydul)
I think getting a second opinion is something that is not usually done by most people. I remember when we were kids, my mom had a very bad skin problem, a doctor told her she had leprosy. Turned out to be a really bad case of allergy only.
Modern Pinay Mom
Really agree with you here. Getting a second opinion isn’t just an option, it is your right. Thanks for sharing.
ghelothers
i also experienced some doctors who were trying to make money out of the patients or trying to scare me with life-threatening diagnosis. but I make sure that I assess my well-being first and do my research before giving in. I also look for second opinion as well or even third to confirm my condition.