When to Get a Second Medical Opinion

No one is perfect, even doctors. They will make mistakes; it happens. When it happens with a doctor, it might very well mean the life of a patient, and most doctors don't take that burden lightly. I have seen one doctor for a particularly stubborn medical condition I had, and he treated it, treated it again, and nothing was working. It was at that point I asked to see another doctor for a second opinion. My first doctor agreed with me that a second opinion couldn't hurt. That is a good doctor.

Do you know when and how to get a second opinion?

There are multiple ways to get a second opinion, and multiple reasons why getting one is important. For minor medical issues--a cold, flu bug, a scratch or scrape, allergies, etc,--you probably won't need a second opinion.

However, there are certain times when a second opinion is absolutely essential. So when is the best time to get a second medical opinion?

Get a Second Medical Opinion When Treatment Fails

If you've been seeing the same doctor for an ailment and have not received relief or have had only moderate improvement of a medical condition over a period of time, it's time to get a second medical opinion. Sometimes a fresh mind seeing your information can catch something another doctor missed, or perhaps a different doctor has seen or experienced your condition in another patient.

Get a Second Medical Opinion Prior to Invasive Treatment

If a doctor wants to perform surgery, before you go under the knife, it's best to have a second doctor look at your chart and at you and see if he too thinks surgery is necessary. If there are alternative treatments for your condition that the first doctor wasn't aware of, the second one might. If the second doctor agrees, then scheduling surgery will give you peace of mind knowing you made the right choice.

Get a Second Medical Opinion with Any Terminal Illness Diagnosis

If a doctor tells you that you have a terminal illness, that you are going to die from your illness, then you need a second opinion. A death sentence is never the final word in treatment. Terminal illnesses have new research and studies and medications being developed daily. Never let a single diagnosis stand on a terminal illness.

Get a second Medical Opinion with a Chronic Illness Diagnosis

If you are diagnosed with a chronic or debilitating illness, it's best to let a second doctor look at the tests results and see if he comes up with the same conclusion. Chronis illnesses can be hard to treat, and some treatment can be dangerous. If the doctor tells you that you have a life-long chronic illness, make sure that's truly the case by following up with a second opinion.

When A Second Opinion Is Dangerous

Sometimes there is no time for a second opinion. When your life is on the line, when you are in the middle of a heart attack, a stroke, cannot breathe, etc, you will require immediate medical care. If you're having acute symptoms that need immediate treatment, such as an emergency situation, waiting to get a second opinion can be dangerous or deadly.

Also, when a doctor tells you that a condition has progressed to where waiting for treatment could be dangerous, if you can't get a second opinion in a timely manner, you may need to go ahead and consent to treatment or surgery and seek the second opinion while waiting for the treatment or surgery.

Remember, except in situations where your life is in immediate danger, your body belongs to you and you can chose whatever treatment you do or don't receive. If you want a second opinion, you are absolutely entitled to get one. Any good doctor would even recommend that you get a second opinion for serious medical conditions.

Don't be afraid to ask for a second medical opinion -- sometimes a second medical opinion can mean the difference between life and death.

For a detailed and informational article about getting a second opinion, BeliefNet has provided this exceptional article about when and how to get a second opinion with a lot more detail and information. Give it a read.