Should I tell my doctor I am getting a second opinion?

Your doctor is usually comfortable with your decision to get a second opinion. Getting a second opinion is a good idea when you have a medical issue. In fact, you might find that your general doctor will refer you to a specialist or encourage you to see another doctor before you even ask.

Can a doctor refuse to give a second opinion?

A doctor is not free to refuse a patient merely because a patient is a member of certain groups. In addition, a doctor’s ability to terminate you as a patient may also be limited by a contract between your doctor and your health care plan or hospital, which requires the doctor to see all patients.

Why medical second opinion is important?

So, getting a second opinion might provide you with more information regarding your condition and help you better determine your next steps. Moreover, starting on a medical regimen only to stop it later can be a very expensive affair, not to mention mentally taxing.

How do I prepare for a second opinion?

Make an appointment with your first doctor to talk about the second opinion. Ask both doctors to explain how they arrived at their treatment plan. Ask them how they interpreted your test results. Ask what research studies or professional guidelines they consulted.

Should I get a second opinion before having surgery?

In fact, you could ask the doctor who says you need surgery for a recommendation for a second opinion before you even leave the office. You certainly don’t want to wait until the operation is about to be done. Give yourself as much time as possible to collect the necessary information to make an informed choice.

When is the best time to get a second opinion?

The sooner the better. In fact, you could ask the doctor who says you need surgery for a recommendation for a second opinion before you even leave the office. You certainly don’t want to wait until the operation is about to be done. Give yourself as much time as possible to collect the necessary information to make an informed choice.

How many people never seek a second opinion?

According to the Patient Advocate Foundation, statistics show that more than one-third of adults in the U.S. never will seek a second opinion, and almost one-tenth of newly diagnosed patients rarely or never understand their diagnoses.

What happens after you have two opinions on the same advice?

What happens after you have two opinions depends on whether the advice is the same or not. If there is disagreement, try to understand the reasons for the difference of opinion. Specifically go through the arguments for and against each approach.