Two heads are better than one…The morning after my close friend coming back from seeing a doctor at the hospital, he felt obviously depressed.  He is normally lively but was quiet on that day and he seemed to lack sleep all night. During our talk at lunchtime, he sadly told me that the doctor said he has developed Gastric cancer. I was a bit shocked and told him to seek a second opinion in case there’s a mistake, and if it’s cancer, he can start treatment right away. Two days later, my friend went for a health check at another hospital. After a thorough check-up, the second doctor confirmed that he had no cancer so he was very happy. It’s been ten years until now and my friend remains healthy.

I had that kind of experience as well even though it’s not a severe disease like cancer but my life was quite chaotic for a while. I had so many mouth sores and the medications never healed. I kept on seeing the same doctor from time to time but it didn’t work. The doctor said I might develop Oral Tuberculosis and he needed to do a mouth biopsy for me. I was stunned and confused why it was that serious. Finally, I decided not to go to a biopsy but went to another hospital instead. I had an injection and took some medicines, and could recover in two days.
 

Another case is my grandpa. A hospital diagnosed that he had Cervical Spondylosis and needed a neck splint including neck therapy. He went through those practices for a long while and there was no progress. He was hurt and his symptom was worsened. After he went to a new hospital, he was found developing advanced lung cancer, and he passed away a few months later.

It doesn’t mean that the doctor is unreliable but we need to take the best care of ourselves. We have the right to get the most detailed information about our disease including the most proper way of alternative medicine. Whenever we receive a doctor diagnosis that we develop an unusual disease which is not a basic symptom, or we need an operation or treatment that is more than taking medications, we should seek a second opinion.
 

The second opinion has long been popular in many countries as people stay vigilant for the right of patients. Culturally, people over there consider doctors as a similar profession like lawyers, businessmen, or employees who can make mistakes. Therefore, to leave all hope to a doctor is a risk no matter the diagnosis is wrong and leads to wrong treatment, and it’s too late when the truth is unfolded.

However, Thai people are too much courteous and tend to believe the doctor. They will revisit the doctor if they are not recovered. There are some good points in creating understanding and relationships between doctors and patients. That is the Thai habit to treat those who are professionals with respect, and the problem of misunderstanding leading to suing doctors rarely happens in Thailand.

Seeking a second medical opinion has become a new issue that is hardly found in our country. The definition of a second medical opinion is to seek different advice (suggestions may be the same) from a second expert.

A second medical opinion may happen in the following cases.

1. When the doctor recommends that we need an operation (not an emergency).
2. When a doctor diagnoses that we develop a severe disease such as cancer, coronary artery disease, or brain tumor.
3. When doctor advice is against with our belief.
4. An insurance or third party requests to do so.
5. When we believe that doctors may be careless or makes mistakes in diagnosis or treatment.
6. Doctor may ask the patient to seek a second opinion.

There are interesting figures stated in the book “When Doctor Becomes Patient” written by Dr. Klitzman, M.D., a professor at Columbia University; 18-30% of doctors who give consultation to patients or insurance disagree with the first doctor who suggests an operation treatment (no study has concluded whether first opinion or second opinion is right). The analysis also reveals that an important reason that patients seek a second opinion is, that it’s hard for them to accept that they develop a dreadful disease, especially cancer, or patients are unpleasant with the first doctor advice to undergo an operation as they don’t think they are seriously ill. However, quite a number of patients do not believe or accept the second doctor's opinion, and some seek third, fourth, or fifth opinion.

There are several good points in seeking a second medical opinion while negative points can also happen. As often seen, seeking too many opinions but no conclusion has been made at the end. It takes time and then wastes time so patients may lose an opportunity for treatment. For example, the spreading of cancer, heart disease, or vascular disease is getting too critical to cure or the complications occur, and that makes it’s too difficult to treat. Presently, many cases often found are to refuse modern medicine treatment but to explore alternative medicine which patients may miss a chance to recover or improve by modern medical treatment.
 

Here are some guidelines when we need to seek a second opinion or additional advice about a diagnosis or treatment of our disease and our family members.

1. Make sure that it doesn’t waste time for the existing treatment process which may lead to delayed treatment or risk in a patients’ life.
2. A second medical opinion should be sought from doctors in the field. We will gain better suggestions from experts or those who have direct experience in our disease. Importantly, we should not consult doctors who have conflicting attitudes such as competitive hospitals. We may notice doctor viewpoint while giving consultation (most doctors generally respect and don’t blame each other).
3. Prepare complete information before seeing doctors such as personal data, X-ray film, lab results, and biopsy results. It’s best to bring along the letter of the first doctor with you.
4. If possible, study information about the disease and its treatment as background, so you will have preliminary knowledge and be more understandable when talking to the doctor.
5. Whether we are pleased or not after getting an opinion, we can use our judgment to believe or follow, or we may seek a third, fourth, or fifth opinion. Anyway, we must remind ourselves that it’s not that we are stubborn because we don’t believe anyone, we are hard-headed, self-confident, and avoid the truth.
6. Some large institutions, especially Medical Schools or some hospitals tend to arrange an interdisciplinary meeting about specific cases like cancer patients. We may ask a doctor for permission if we can raise that case in the meeting. That way is quite cautious and possible to obtain the most reliable advice, especially the disease that its diagnosis and treatment are tremendously complex like cancer.

The medical evolution has been in much progress not only in treatment technology but also in the behavior of patients who protect their rights more. The second opinion is therefore a good issue that enables doctors and patients to review their decision carefully for gaining the most accurate diagnosis and proper treatment in the future.

Reference

http://www.drkomgrit.com/article.aspx?id=35