Patient Wisdom

Patient Wisdom

Question 15: Do you have any advice on asking for a second opinion or another doctor?

 

Factoid:  If you think you’re being mishandled by your physician, or unsure about a diagnosis or proposed procedure, and considering asking for a second opinion, the Patient Advocate Foundation published this wonderful brochure to answer your frequently asked questions. 

Just do it. If you don't feel comfortable with the initial diagnosis/care and treatment plan, seek out support groups, or foundations, for your disease and see what resources they can help provide to guide you to another specialist… - Kelly Livingston

 

Don’t be afraid to offend someone. It is your body and you NEVER want to have regrets about making a bad decision. I personally am able to feel mentally strong about my condition because I have 100% confidence in my team at Mayo Clinic. If I had not pursued a 2nd opinion, I would have had the wrong procedure. - Brooke Porretti

 

Just tell your doctor you want a second opinion. This is your life, don't let someone's doctor's ego get in the way of your medical care. - Georgia Hurst

 

Just ask! Be firm in your request. Take a support person with you. If a person's primary GI is taken back by the request for a referral for a 2nd opinion, that person should start looking for not only a 2nd opinion GI doctor but also a primary GI doctor. I spent a lot of money out of pocket on GI consultations before I picked Dr. Gregory Mackay. - Betty Starr

 

Persistence. Only you know your body. - Ruth

 

If you need a second opinion, contact a new Doctor and simply make an appointment. - Malcolm Strutt

 

Ask how familiar they are with FAP. Just because a doctor states they know about FAP doesn't mean they are well educated in the disease. - Teresa Weimer

 

If you don't have confidence in your doctor, then don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion or another doctor. After all, it is your life in these matters they're dealing with. - Karen

 

I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a second opinion; my local doctor recommended [it]. I think it is good to have several "teams" looking at you, making sure you catch everything. - Allison Brewer

 

I had a doctor for a second opinion, always had a second opinion. Not that I didn't trust the [doctor], but it was reassurance. - Israel Gonzales, Jr.

 

Be familiar with the regular tests for your illness. Is your doctor routinely ordering them? If you ask your doctor to order them, does he/she? If not... Run! Check ups are vital. - Morgan

 

Your trusting the doctor you have is the most important thing to feel safe and secure with who ever treats you. Ask questions. They aren’t GODS, just people like you. You’re paying, you have a right to know,

and don’t be shy, they are like a priest, they have heard it all. - Sandy Miller

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