Knowledgeable and Experienced Guidance

When and how to seek a second opinion

On Behalf of | Oct 22, 2018 | Medical Malpractice |

Residents in North Carolina who want to be proactive and take charge of their health and their health care should always feel confident in their ability to seek second medical opinions. Certainly, being given a serious diagnosis, such as cancer, is one time when many people think about getting additional opinions, but it does not have to be the only time.

As explained by U.S. News and World Report, patients who are prescribed medications that they would need to take for the rest of their lives may benefit from second opinions. In some cases, a person may be able to make a lifestyle change that negates the need for a drug that can have high costs and side effects associated with it.

Also important to know is that a second opinion does not always need to be sought in order to challenge a first opinion. Some people find that getting the input of another doctor confirms their trust in the original recommendations offered to them by the first doctor.

According to WebMD, there are multiple times when a second opinion may be most applicable or useful. One of these is when a person is recommended to undergo an experimental or risky treatment, including a treatment that is highly invasive and may be linked to serious potential complications. When finding a doctor to provide a second opinion, patients should always look for providers from a medical system different than the system the first doctor practices in. This will offer patients a broader view of the options available to them.