When facing a daunting health condition it’s not unusual to consider asking for a second opinion. In fact, doctors themselves often ask their colleagues for a second or even third opinion on uncountable occasions: after all, they are only humans and it’s unlikely that their field of expertise will cover every single illness in the world.
However big your doctor’s knowledge may be, there are certain illnesses and conditions so rare and serious that most doctors consider you should be 100% confident about what the sickness involves, your treatment options and whether you are really suffering from this disease or there may be a different cause for the symptoms you are showing. This is why despite it not being a legal right of the patient, most doctors are always happy to willingly give you a referral to meet a specialist to answer your questions and solve your doubts about a first diagnosis.
But having already heard worrying news from your doctor, you might be too nervous or scared to know what to do during your second appointment. Moreover, there is every likelihood you will have not seen yourself in this situation before. So what should you know about asking your doctor for a second opinion?
When should you ask for a second opinion?
There are certain situations when is recommended to ask for a second opinion, especially when you have been diagnosed with a very serious or life-threatening disease or in cases where the treatment is risky or toxic, the diagnosis isn’t clear or you are considering a new experimental approach to the illness. You should also consider seeing another specialist if you feel like you can’t talk to your current doctor.
In these cases, if you are interested in getting a second opinion you should always tell your doctor. This way you will have access to your medical records and tests results to give to the second doctor you see and allow both experts to discuss your case.
Advantages and disadvantages of asking for a second opinion
Getting the opinion of a second doctor definitely offers some advantages, which is the reason why you would like to hear it:
- You could feel more confident about your treatment and care if both doctors agree about your diagnoses;
- You could find that your second doctor gives you more confidence than your current consultant;
- You may find that there are more treatments that you were offered in the first place.
However, you should know that there are also some possible disadvantages:
- Waiting for a second opinion may delay the start of your treatment. It might be worth it asking your current doctor if a delay in treatment may cause you any harm;
- You’ll need to be mentally prepared to hear unwanted news about your diagnosis or treatment – whether your new doctor agrees or disagrees with your previous consultant, they could give tell you something different from what you were hoping for;
- If you are offered a different treatment or a trial one, you may be asked to decide what treatment to go for, which can put more stress on you about making the right decision.
Who will you be referred to
Even though your doctor may be able to recommend you or even refer you to another doctor, you could do your own research and choose your second opinion doctor. You could ask your friends or family, ask a doctor you trust to give you a list of doctors or maybe do your research online.
There are some associations that could help you find the right second opinion doctor if you are finding it hard to get a referral:
- England: the Patient Advice and Liaison Service
- Scotland: the Patient Advice and Support Service
- Wales: your local Community Health Council
- Northern Ireland: your Patient and Client Council
However, make sure your current doctor is informed about who you are wanting to see for a second opinion as they will need to send them your medical records and test results.
Questions to ask in your second-opinion consultation
So now that you are getting referred or have chosen another consultant, you will have to prepare for this second appointment. What would you like to get from it?
It’s highly recommended to bring a family member or a close friend with you to this appointment. Not only will you feel more confident and supported, but they could also help you remember part of the information the doctor gives you, as you may be too stressed to remember everything that was said during this appointment. It is also a good idea to record the conversation if the doctor agrees to do it.
Bear in mind that you might have dozens of questions in your head that may all disappear once you sit in front of the doctor. We recommend you to plan ahead and write your questions down to avoid forgetting any of them when the crucial moment comes. Here’s a list of recommended questions:
- Confirmation of diagnosis
- Are there any additional tests you should have?
- What would be the next steps?
- Treatment options. Does the second opinion doctor agree with the original treatment options? Are there any risks or side effects associated with them?
- What would the results be if you wait or don’t have the treatment?
- What are the goals of the treatment and how long would it take to reach them?
- Where would your treatment and appointments take place, and who would be involved in your care?
- What will your life be like after recovering from the treatment?