What Are The Most Common Reasons To Seek A Second Opinion?

The aim of every medical professional is to ensure that, irrespective of your circumstances and particular care needs, you get the specialised treatment that is right for you and right for your situation.

Every single treatment, from functional neurosurgery to medication to help manage chronic pain, has been considered and decided because the evidence base and the view of specialists is that it is the best option for a given condition.

However, getting a second opinion is often a prudent choice to ensure that every option is accounted for and you get the best treatment, not only to cure the condition but also to fit your needs outside of the clinical sphere.

Whilst you can request a second opinion for practically any reason, here are some of the most common questions people ask themselves or ask their care team before they look for a second opinion.

Have You Been Diagnosed With A Life-Changing Condition?

There is typically a correlation between the seriousness of a medical condition and the complexities of the treatments used to manage or cure it.

Because of this, you will almost always be recommended to seek a second opinion, as specialists in the field may have a range of options not available to your primary care provider, which may be easier to tolerate, involve less downtime or have a stronger prognosis.

Ultimately, whilst multidisciplinary teams and specialist consultants can suggest treatment plans, they cannot and will not start treatment without your consent.

Has Surgery Been Recommended?

Similarly, if the primary treatment pathway involves surgery, particularly if it involves more invasive surgery, it is a good idea to get a second opinion from a specialist in the field.

There are often alternatives available, such as stereotactic radiosurgery for treating small brain tumours or pain disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia by intentionally destroying the nerve which transmits the pain in a very precise place.

Do You Feel Like You Need To Make A Decision Quickly?

In some cases, doctors and care teams want to book a treatment as soon as reasonably possible if they are concerned about the possibility of progression, but this should not come at the expense of your agency, and you should never feel pressured to act quickly.

If you do not feel in control, do not feel comfortable or feel like plans for treatments are progressing too quickly, that is a telltale sign to ask for a specialist second opinion to understand and truly evaluate your options.

Are You Not Seeing Improvement From Other Treatments?

If a medication routine or course of treatments is not providing any tangible improvement, it may be time to explore alternative options and seek second opinions.

This can be the case with pain disorders, which typically have prescription medications as the first-line treatment, with radiosurgery and keyhole surgery alternative options.

Alternatively, if you feel your condition is deteriorating, then getting a second opinion is often essential. In the NHS, this principle has been codified under Martha’s Law.

Have You Been Diagnosed Based On A Single Test Result?

Whilst consultants and doctors can sometimes feel confident in a diagnosis based on a particular test result, a set of symptoms and your personal experience, they will always confirm this diagnosis with an additional test.

This is to ensure that an aberration, either in how a test is undertaken or how it is interpreted, does not create a false positive. If you are concerned about the basis of a particular treatment plan, request a second opinion.

Does The Diagnosis Seem Unclear, Vague Or Wrong?

Sometimes, a diagnosis can seem unclear or vague. Most doctors will be happy to clarify and explain details of the basis of a diagnosis, but if you feel like the explanation does not help, it is best to get a second opinion to ensure that you have all of the information you need to make informed choices about your treatment.

Common Misconceptions About Second Opinions

• Doctors dislike second opinions:In fact, the opposite is true. Doctors want you to feel confident in the care you receive and want to ensure you have agency to do so.


• Second opinions cannot be undertaken quickly:Given that urgent care is when second opinions are needed the most to ensure the right treatment is undertaken, second opinion consultations are often arranged quickly where there is a clinical need.


• You need a second opinion to change your treatment:Your healthcare team will be happy to explain the treatment plan they have recommended, and you are always welcome to discuss proposals to change it.