Why we should often seek a second opinion

Should I sign the consent form? Is that really the best treatment for me? And should I actually choose the dentures with the considerable contribution or is there still a cheaper option? Often enough doubts come to our doctors, but in the rarest cases we express them or get a second expert opinion. Because it costs overcoming, not to follow the recommendations of his family doctor - especially as this often considers the solicitation of a second opinion as a breach of trust.

We would be well advised, after all, many surgeries and therapies prove in retrospect to be superfluous or not optimal. There is always some room for maneuver in the choice of treatment, yet there is hardly any discussion - and even less often is the patient included. The Patients 'Rights Act, which came into force in February 2013, is the first time that patients' rights have been collected in one place. It is intended to strengthen the position of the patient vis-à-vis physicians, clinics and health insurance funds.

The German Medical Association also expressly supports an additional consultation, citing, for example, the right of a patient to demand a copy of his medical record (blood values, x-rays, examinations) - which he formally belongs anyway. Ideally, one would describe to his doctor his own insecurity and ask him for the name of a specialist. And even if the attending physician denies the support or you do not trust him in this case, you are not on your own when looking for an expert.



Here you get a second opinion:

  • In all cancers, the tumor centers are a good address, because there are the doctors medically up to date.
  • In the case of bowel cancer patients, the Felix Burda Foundation offers the possibility of obtaining a second opinion for the treatment of their illness by means of an electronic patient file.
  • Prior to spinal surgery, members of some health insurances can seek advice in special pain management centers.
  • Even with expensive dentures, a consultation makes sense. This offers, for example, the project Zahnärztliche Zweitmeinung der Kassenzahnärztliche Vereinigung and the Dentists' Association.
  • The dental associations of the federal states, (dental) medical associations and the consumer centers are also the contact persons for those seeking advice. The Independent Patient Advice Germany helps to find an expert and also advises itself.
  • The German Society of General Medicine provides on its website guidelines not only for doctors, but also for laymen understandably available.
  • Finally, you can also contact his health insurance directly. For example, some have counseling hotlines staffed with doctors.

Do not give up prematurely

Incidentally, obtaining a second opinion does not necessarily mean having to be re-examined. Therefore, it is advisable to take all already available results with you. Although the doctor who has previously been treated can demand a fee for copying, he must not deprive patients of findings or X-ray images. In any case, it is important that the expert to whom you turn to has a cash register.



If the second physician's diagnosis or suggestion of treatment deviates from that of the first, the two doctors should discuss each other. Often there is even good cooperation. If this does not succeed, you have to decide where you feel better off - or visit a third expert. Especially with a serious illness such as cancer you should be well informed, because often is not treated according to the latest scientific findings. The more experience a doctor or clinic has with a disease and its therapy, the better. Here a look into a clinic guide can be helpful. Many health insurance companies offer such signposts.

All this is tedious and certainly not easy. But who wants to be treated optimally, should not give up prematurely. After all, the ultimate decision for or against therapy lies with the patient alone. And you should never lose this decision.



DermTV - When Should You Get a Second Opinion [DermTV.com Epi #289] (March 2024).



Patient rights, German Medical Association, doctor, medicine, health