{"id":35029,"date":"2024-09-19T07:00:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T07:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=35029"},"modified":"2025-11-19T18:10:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T18:10:33","slug":"when-should-you-get-a-second-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/when-should-you-get-a-second-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"When should you get a second opinion?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Receiving a serious diagnosis or facing an unexpected health challenge can be a stressful time. As you pursue next steps in your care or the care of a loved one, you may wonder about getting a second opinion.<\/p>\n

Is it worthwhile? Will your doctor be offended if you ask for one? Will insurance cover it?<\/p>\n

Here we answer common questions about second opinions and offer guidance about how to seek one for a medical concern.<\/p>\n

Why get a second opinion?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A second opinion is when you consult with another doctor or health care provider after you\u2019ve already received a diagnosis or treatment plan for a medical issue.<\/p>\n

The second provider reviews your medical history, diagnostic tests and any other relevant information, and then shares their perspective on your situation. They may confirm what your original doctor has recommended, or they may have an alternative point of view.<\/p>\n

There are multiple benefits to seeking a second opinion, and one of the biggest is supporting your own peace of mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes families need to know that they have done their due diligence \u2014 that they have turned over every rock they can, and there\u2019s nothing wrong with that,\u201d says Jacob Henderson, MD, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist<\/a> at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children\u2019s<\/a>. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to start a complex treatment regimen with any doubts left in your mind that it\u2019s the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another benefit? A second opinion can provide you with a point of comparison. It may help to ensure that your diagnosis is accurate; you have access to the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatments, including clinical trials; and your treatment plan is optimized for your specific circumstances and personal goals.<\/p>\n

What situations warrant a second opinion?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You can seek a second opinion at any time for any reason. However, there are two common scenarios where second opinions are often beneficial.<\/p>\n

1. You don\u2019t feel confident about your care<\/strong>. It\u2019s normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious or fearful about a health problem, but what you shouldn\u2019t feel is doubt about your care or your relationship with your provider.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should always feel comfortable with the care you\u2019re getting,\u201d says Matthew Stevenson, MD, a board-certified neurologist<\/a> at MultiCare Neuroscience & Sleep Medicine – Puyallup<\/a>. \u201cIf your provider isn\u2019t addressing your concerns, if you\u2019re having trouble communicating with them, or if you feel like the conclusions they\u2019re reaching are inconsistent with your experience, then a second opinion is not only helpful but necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

It’s possible that you may start out feeling confident about your care, but the feeling wanes over time. Maybe you\u2019re not responding to treatment or your condition has taken an unexpected turn. In either of those scenarios, it may be time to consider a second opinion.<\/p>\n

2. There\u2019s ambiguity or uncertainty about your medical situation<\/strong>. Diagnosing and treating medical problems is not always straightforward, particularly if you have a complex condition, such as advanced cancer, or a rare disease. In these situations, there may be multiple treatment pathways to consider, or the treatments your provider recommends could present risks.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome treatments, like high-dose chemotherapy or radiation or surgery, can have significant lifelong implications,\u201d Dr. Henderson says. \u201cI think the bigger the decision involved, the more beneficial it is to seek a second opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are there reasons not to get a second opinion?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are circumstances where seeking an additional opinion may not be the best course of action. For example, if you have already gotten a second opinion, seeking a third, fourth or fifth opinion from other specialists is likely not an effective use of your resources.<\/p>\n

Time itself can also be a factor when considering whether to get a second opinion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are situations where seeking a formal second opinion would lead to delays in care that could compromise a patient\u2019s health,\u201d Dr. Henderson says. \u201cIn those cases, I offer to reach out to other doctors informally on a patient\u2019s behalf to discuss their care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will my doctor be offended if I ask for a second opinion?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many people worry about how their doctor or other health care provider will react if they request a second opinion, but what matters most is your health and well-being. Asking for a second opinion is a standard practice of care. Providers should be accustomed to this request, and most are happy to refer to you to another doctor or specialist.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I won\u2019t say doctors never get offended, it happens much less than people think,\u201d Dr. Stevenson says. \u201cMost providers are dedicated to helping their patients get the care they need, even if that care does not come from them directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Receiving a serious diagnosis or facing an unexpected health challenge can be a stressful time. As you pursue next steps in your care or the care of a loved one, you may wonder about getting a second opinion. Is it worthwhile? Will your doctor be offended if you ask for one? Will insurance cover it? […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,127,67,107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cancer","category-healthy-living","category-kids-health","category-stroke-neuro"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYour questions about second opinions answered - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering if you should get a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment? 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