Second Opinions are Welcome
Second opinions serve an important role in patient care. You should consider asking for a second opinion of your eye doctor whenever these situations occur:
2. A diagnosis that abruptly reverses or contradicts earlier doctors' opinions
3. Suspected cancer of the eye or orbit, especially in a child
4. Proposal of life-changing surgery, like removal of the eye!
5. Personal concern regarding the doctor's skill or experience
6. Inadequate physician communications
Don't hesitate to ask for a consultant to review your case. Most physicians gladly welcome the opportunity to share their findings with an expert. The consultant should be independent of your personal doctor. If the consultant agrees with your doctor, you can move forward with confidence. Conflicting opinions? More work needs to be done before any important decisions can be made. Either way, second opinions provide helpful information.
Be skeptical of any doctor who attempts to discourage the involvement of another physician in your care. Frankly, I love to receive consultation reports regarding second opinions because it usually verifies my findings and clarifies decision making.
Finally, don't overdo it. It is rare to need more than one second opinion. Confusion and other problems emerge when too many experts get involved.
Got a sticky situation? Visit the WebMD Vision & Eye Disorder Message Board.
Related Topics: Assess Your Vision Online, Test Your Doctor IQ
Technorati Tags: secondopinion, eyesurgery, eyeproblems
2. A diagnosis that abruptly reverses or contradicts earlier doctors' opinions
3. Suspected cancer of the eye or orbit, especially in a child
4. Proposal of life-changing surgery, like removal of the eye!
5. Personal concern regarding the doctor's skill or experience
6. Inadequate physician communications
Don't hesitate to ask for a consultant to review your case. Most physicians gladly welcome the opportunity to share their findings with an expert. The consultant should be independent of your personal doctor. If the consultant agrees with your doctor, you can move forward with confidence. Conflicting opinions? More work needs to be done before any important decisions can be made. Either way, second opinions provide helpful information.
Be skeptical of any doctor who attempts to discourage the involvement of another physician in your care. Frankly, I love to receive consultation reports regarding second opinions because it usually verifies my findings and clarifies decision making.
Finally, don't overdo it. It is rare to need more than one second opinion. Confusion and other problems emerge when too many experts get involved.
Got a sticky situation? Visit the WebMD Vision & Eye Disorder Message Board.
Related Topics: Assess Your Vision Online, Test Your Doctor IQ
Technorati Tags: secondopinion, eyesurgery, eyeproblems
3 Comments:
Dear Dr.
I am a heart patient (coronary spasm) and went for a second opinion because I kept passing out. Told my cardio doctor I thought it was Coreg causing this but he said no way. My husband finally got tired of me passing out and sent me for a second opinion (this second doctor wasn't in the same practice) Anyway. . .the second cardio. doctor called me "contrary, obstinate and a waste of his time" (great huh !!) and then he faxed my consultation over to my original cardio. doctor (why I don't know). My cardio doctor had his office manager call me and told me to find another doctor-he would not be treating me anymore. The second cardio. doctor did the same thing (like I was going back to him after being called names). Went to a third cardio doctor and because my insurance wouldn't pay for the tests in his office (had to be done thru my PCP) this doctor ALSO told me to find another doctor-he wouldn't be treating me anymore either. Now I am without a cardio doctor.
We are actually moving in 3 months from where we live because of these problems-all the doctors are tight knit.
What did I do wrong ?? Because I went for a second opinion, I now have to move from this area because we can't find a doctor to treat me-here, we're not given options-it's their way or the highway (I chose the highway). Hate to have my husband leave a job and look for other work, but I don't have an other options.
Sad, sad situation.
Hi dj,
For more information about heart problems and heart disease, try visiting our message boards.
Without knowing your history Dr. Lloyd can't really answer your question, but perhaps you can discover possibilities for the problems you're having by browsing the Heart Center at WebMD.
Good luck to you and your husband in your new home!
I'm sorry. . I really wasn't looking for information on heart problems. I was just telling what happened when I went for a second opinion. I am just totally frustrated with doctors here. . .that is the reason we are moving. Sorry to have confused you all. . .guess I was just gripping :o) Thanks !!
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