Introduction
You have probably been in a situation when two or more doctors recommended different treatment for the same symptoms. It does not mean that at least one of them is wrong. They have probably had different experience in treating that illness.
Think about different approaches when it comes to something as common as a cold or cough. You probably know what works best for you when you feel unwell, but what happens when you have to deal with a cancer diagnosis?
Facing serious illness or upcoming surgery is never easy – this is commonly known. Treatment often comes with serious risks and side effects. Not always you have a possibility and courage to ask your physician all the questions that come to your mind. The Internet browsing leaves you even more frightened and insecure. Your family and friends have all the best intentions, but they lack professional knowledge and experience. And you know the decision about the treatment has to be made and you are the one in charge. Your health is your responsibility. The second opinion procedure can really help you find answers about your condition.
Patients need assurance that the diagnosis is accurate, the planned treatment is the most effective, and side effects are minimal. The second opinion procedure offers this kind of assertion. It can help you decide on surgery or non-surgical treatment, as it will help you understand your options better.
Second opinion – definition and overview
A second opinion is simply a procedure when you ask another medical specialist to review your case, especially medical documentation, and answer your questions. It does not necessary mean you have to repeat all the tests like x-rays, biopsies or endoscopic procedures, and go to multiple medical appointments. Sometimes it is possible to run additional, more thorough tests on your samples that have already been collected.
Your second opinion may confirm the diagnosis you received or change it. It may complement the initial opinion, or provide more information for your doctor, so your treatment plan will be more accurate.
When should I get a second opinion?
There is nothing wrong about seeking a second opinion concerning any aspect of your health, but in some cases it should be treated as almost obligatory procedure.
Any serious illness or planned surgery are good reasons for getting a second opinion. Sometimes your test or medical imaging results are hard to interpret. In such cases, getting a second opinion is highly recommended.
If you decide to seek it, it does not mean that you question your doctor’s skills or qualifications. Wishing to be sure that your planned surgery is the best treatment available is completely natural. From the psychological point of view, it is even advantageous – if you are convinced that the risk of incomplete or wrong diagnosis is minimal, your attitude towards the treatment is better. It is patients’ right to decide on their treatment, so it is reasonable to confirm or revise the first diagnosis. The final decision should always be well-informed.
How to get a second opinion from a doctor?
If you are convinced that you need a second opinion, tell your physician about it. This step can be quite difficult for some people, but remember – it is your right to know and to be secure.
Does seeking a second opinion mean that you do not believe in the diagnosis or do not accept it? That you think your doctor lacks skills or experience? Will the physician feel insulted if you ask for a second opinion? You should not view this approach in such light. The second opinion means more confidence not only for the patient, but also for the doctor. We are only humans and so we make mistakes, no matter how much we try to avoid them. Medicine is still full of grey areas, and eliminating every misinformed opinion is not possible.
A wrong diagnosis is a serious problem also for the doctor, but its effects will be minor if it is amended in time. Cases of having an unnecessary surgery or missing a chance to initiate necessary treatment have overwhelmingly more serious consequences. First – do no harm. Really, the bother of having to apologise for a wrong diagnosis is not the worst case scenario for you and your physician. You are in the same boat.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
The procedure depends on your medical problem. Definitely, you should collect all your medical documentation and you need to consider questions you want to ask. The key one concerns the accuracy of the diagnosis. You may need to know how far your disease has progressed and what treatment options are available and best for you.
You may be asked to undergo the same diagnostic procedures as you did before, but performed by another healthcare professional. In some cases, additional imaging or diagnostic procedures may be required. It is highly important to follow this guidance.
In increasingly more cases, taking additional samples (like biopsies) is not necessary. If you would like to have your cancer diagnosis reassessed, pathologists can examine your specimens taken from the hospital where you had your biopsy or surgery, and provide specific information about your tumour.
You can also request a remote second opinion, when either you or your doctor will contact another specialist online.
What happens after I get a second opinion?
The second opinion may confirm or disprove the initial diagnosis. When it is confirmed, you know where you stand. If you are diagnosed with cancer, as hard as it is right now, at least it is out in the open.
If the 2nd opinion is contradictory to your initial diagnosis, it is recommended to discuss it with your first and second opinion doctor. An open discussion should give you answers to your questions. Those specialists may have different training and experience, and the second opinion from another doctor, specialist or clinician, may offer a new view worth taking into account.
There is also a third option – the second opinion can simply provide additional information to your diagnosis, e.g. histopathological examination results can be more detailed. More accurate diagnosis can give you a better adjusted treatment plan.
When the second opinion may cause confusion
As with everything in this world, the second opinion may also be associated with some difficult situations. This happens primarily when the second opinion, concerning a very serious illness requiring highly invasive or debilitating treatment, differs from the primary diagnosis or treatment recommendations. In such case, you may have two opposite opinions on a very important matter and you do not know who to trust and what to do. Furthermore, obviously you are not sufficiently competent to decide which opinion is right. The situation which was previously clear, may become upsettingly cloudy.
What you can do then is to consult your case further, trying to find a consensus solution. It is important for doctors issuing further opinions to know about previous discordant diagnoses or treatment plans. You may also involve doctors who provided the first and the second opinion in the consultation process, aiming at reaching the most balanced and best solution. The outcome of such process, which itself can be confusing and psychologically difficult, would definitely be more advantageous for you than actions taken on the basis of a single opinion.
Conclusion
Quite often, the same symptoms may require different treatment, depending not only on your age, body condition and medical test results, but also on your psyche, attitude and social position. Usually, there is more than one way to recovery or pain relief, and if you believe you are on the right track, you will probably feel better sooner. Getting a second opinion can assure you that the right decision was made and you will receive the best treatment available.
Getting the second opinion is advantageous both if it disproves the initial diagnosis as well as when it confirms the planned treatment. As a patient, you know that you have minimalized the risk of mistakes or uninformed opinions and did everything possible to reach a right decision.
Author: Witold Rezner, MD, PhD