Medical Second Opinion

• To confirm a diagnosis.
• To determine if you are a candidate for a clinical trial or alternative treatment.
• To consult a different specialist.
• If you are skeptical about the treatment plan.
• If you have a rare illness.
• If the suggested treatment option will leave you bedridden or has lifelong consequences.
• If you are not responding to the current treatment.

• Cancer.
• Heart problems.
• Psychological or mental illness.
• Conditions affecting the brain or spinal cord.
• Congenital defects.
• Sexual problems and diseases affecting the reproductive organs.

• Once you have decided, you can ask a relative or friend about any other doctor they know is good. Or you can ask your doctor for a referral. Do not worry, getting a second opinion is expected, and it will in no way offend the doctor.
• You can also make use of online second opinion platforms, such as iCliniq. It is easy to use, comparatively cheaper, and you do not have to wait until your appointment.

On the day of your appointment, make sure you ask the doctor about your treatment choices. And how the treatment suggested by the primary care doctor will affect your life. Ask him or her if they can recommend any other treatment plan. And if you are consulting for a test, then ask how the test will be useful for you.

No, it is not always necessary to get a second opinion. If you are confident with the treatment plan and trust your doctor, then you can proceed without getting a second opinion. But for conditions that require surgery or cancer, it is best not to rely on only one source of information.

No, you are not! Getting a second medical opinion is standard medical practice. You are in no way insulting the doctor by asking for a second opinion. It is your right. And if your medical insurance mandates it, then you really do not have a choice.

• If the diagnosis is correct.
• What are the pros and cons of the suggested treatment plan?
• Is the suggested treatment the best and only option?
• If there is any other treatment option.
• What are the consequences of refusing treatment?

• If the doctor suggested an expensive and painful test.
• If surgery is the only option.
• If you do not see any change in your condition even after treatment.
• If you are not clear about how effective the treatment plan will be.
• If the treatment suggested will leave you bedridden or disabled.
• If you are not sure about the doctor’s diagnosis.
• If your insurance policy mandates it.

The things you should do are:

• Call and ask your health insurance company if they cover second opinions.
• Make sure you get all your reports and files from the treating doctor’s office.
• Get an appointment with the other doctor and make sure you send your reports ahead.

If the second doctor agrees with the suggested treatment option, then you can proceed with confidence. But in some cases, the doctor might disagree. All doctors follow the same guidelines, but sometimes there is more than one way to treat a disease. So the doctor will suggest the treatment he or she thinks is best depending on their experience and their understanding of your condition.

You can then decide the treatment option that you feel confident with, or you can again consult a different doctor. It all depends on what you decide and what you want to do.

When there is a surgery to be done, it is never a good idea to wait. So get the second opinion as soon as possible. You can ask the doctor who suggested surgery for any other doctor for getting a second opinion and get the earliest appointment available, or you can immediately ask a specialist online at iCliniq.

But for surgery after trauma or for a medical emergency, surgery needs to be done immediately.

You would have already collected a lot of information after two opinions, which is enough to make a decision. But if you feel you still need more information to make a decision, then you can consult a third doctor. You can again ask the previous doctor for a referral or use online second-opinion platforms.