So you’ve just gotten a quote from a builder to do a major renovation on your home. What do you do next? You get another quote of course. When it comes to our health care very few of us do the same. In a study by Harris Interactive, 70% of adults stated that they would seek a second opinion for a major home repair; more than 50% would do so for a car repair, and 30% would do so for an electronic device repair. When asked about health care, 19% would seek a second opinion for a medical condition, 17% for a medical procedure and 6% for dental work.
So, why should you get second opinions from various doctors?
When considering a complex or even costly medical procedure it helps to have two doctors that agree on the treatment to feel confidant that you are making the correct decision as a patient. In addition, every physician will have a different approach or may even be trained in different procedures. You always want to make sure you are given every available option that is available. Medicine and surgery are quickly evolving and you want to make sure your physician is aware and trained to provide these services.
In today’s rushed medical offices, sometimes a physician won’t provide treatment at all and may simply prescribe a pill and hope for the best. I see many patients who come to my office for a second opinion and tell me that they’ve spent the last several months trying to get rid of their foot pain and their physician provided very little treatment or patient education to help relieve the pain or problem.
In closing, when in doubt, get a second opinion. Besides, most of us encourage it.
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