Doctors who are friends of empowered patients are also doctors who understand and emphasize the power of second opinions. A second opinion gives an individual the information to make a more informed decision about their health or mental health care. Professionals understand a person’s need to be sure they are accurately diagnosed and properly treated, especially if the treatment approach is contested by the patient.

The Washington Post carried a story today about a woman fighting for a simple second opinion about a lump found in her breast. Why should a second opinion be so much work for a patient? Second opinions are not costly and give peace of mind to patients.

Doctors who deny patients their right to that additional information are more often serving their own interests (or the interests of an insurance company) than the interests of the patient. Such doctors should be avoided.

If you’re not on the side of the patients needs — and yes, sometimes those are emotional needs as well as medical needs — then you’re in the wrong profession.

Reference

“One third of patient-initiated second opinion consultations resulted in a discrepancy with the first opinion. Half of this differing advice led to major changes in therapy or prognosis.”

Mellink WA, Henzen-Logmans SC, Bongaerts AH, Ooijen BV, Rodenburg CJ, & Wiggers TH. (2006). Discrepancy between second and first opinion in surgical oncological patients. Eur J Surg Oncol., 32(1), 108-12.

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 27 Mar 2007
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