It’s not uncommon to seek a second opinion after getting a diagnosis or treatment plan from a doctor. In fact, it’s been shown that 20% of patients seek second medical opinions; and in specialties such as oncology, the rate is more than 50%.
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Second opinions often result in different diagnoses or treatments, and more than half of patients who receive them end up following the recommendations from the second opinion, according to the American Journal of Medicine.
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And now getting a second opinion is as easy as going online. Some if these online second opinion services are sponsored by established medical centers—including Massachusetts General Hospital and Cleveland Clinic—others are independent businesses that work with specialists on a consulting basis. And more and more employers are even contracting with these types of services.
Costing between $500 and $5,000 depending on the case, patients can request their medical records be sent to an online second-opinion service, which might order additional tests if needed. The services are especially helpful for people who live far from major academic centers that cover a range of physician specialties.
Here’s what you should know if you’re looking to get a second opinion, online, or otherwise:
- Second opinions generally aren’t needed for easy-to-diagnose cases, such as sinusitis or shingles, experts say. Save second opinions for conditions where a diagnosis is unclear, involves a serious or rare condition or when treatment options are risky.
- Most doctors expect and encourage second opinions. Being open and honest with your primary physician that you want another viewpoint will help should you later need the experts to discuss your case together.
- If possible seek a second opinion from a doctor or specialist in a different institution or network. Institutional cultures are real so it’s good to get an outside and different perspective.
- Getting a second opinion that confirms the first opinion can be reassuring to patients.
- If your first and second opinions differ, consider getting a third or even fourth opinion. But getting more than that may just end up causing confusion.
- In many cases an online second opinion will suffice, although insurers generally don’t cover them unless they are included in your employee benefits. For some conditions, especially rare ones, an in-person visit is best.
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Curated from The Wall Street Journal
