Reason 1. To protect yourself against misdiagnosis

Perhaps you’re not comfortable with the doctor’s level of experience treating your problem. Maybe you don’t feel that your physician is listening to your questions and concerns or providing enough information for you to make an informed decision.
One of the most important reasons to seek a medical second opinion is to protect yourself from misdiagnosis. Researchers have found that the rates of misdiagnosis and mistreatment are higher than you might suspect. A 2017 study of 286 patients conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that as many as 88% of patients looking for a second opinion will leave the office with a new or refined diagnosis. Meanwhile, 21% of the people will leave with a “distinctly different” diagnosis. Conversely, the study, which was published in 2017 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, discovered that 12% of patients will learn that the original diagnosis was correct. This means that one out of every five patients they saw was incorrectly diagnosed.

Reason 2. You are diagnosed with a complex or rare health problem

Rare diseases affect fewer than 200,000 Americans, which means very few physicians, including specialists, are familiar with the symptoms. That can lead to your condition being misdiagnosed or the inability to reach a diagnosis. Complex health problems, such as advanced cancer or the need for an organ transplant, can also be difficult for many physicians to manage. These conditions require physicians who have extensive experience treating the condition, as well as a coordinated team approach to care, since the treatment team may need to include specialists from several disciplines.

Reason 3. Your diagnosis is not definitive

Many diseases and conditions share similar symptoms. In some cases, that can make it difficult for your physician to diagnose your condition with certainty. Seeking a second opinion can help you tap the expertise of other specialists who may recommend additional testing to narrow down potential diagnoses.

Reason 4. Your physician recommends surgery

Even if you do choose to undergo the operation in the end, when you receive a recommendation for surgery, it’s wise to seek a second opinion. In most cases, surgery should not be the first treatment you try. Seeking a second opinion can provide you with other treatment options to consider, such as physical therapy, lifestyle changes, including weight loss or changes to your diet, or medications.

Reason 5. You are diagnosed with cancer.

A second opinion for people diagnosed with cancer may include a review of the pathology, which is part of the determination of the stage of cancer and can affect your treatment recommendations and lower your risk of being over or undertreated. Having another oncologist review your case may also lead to other treatment options or access to clinical trials. In addition, if your first opinion is from a physician at your community hospital, a second opinion from a specialist at an academic medical center may provide access to physicians who have more experience treating your condition, as well as access to cutting-edge treatments and technologies.