An unexpected diagnosis, assurance that your symptoms aren’t serious or even a misunderstanding could cause your confidence in your doctor to waver.
Almost 30 percent of Americans sometimes doubt their doctors, seeking a second opinion or doing their own research to verify a doctor’s diagnosis or other medical act, a 2010 Gallup poll found.
Uncertainty isn’t unusual, and in fact, according to experts, it’s even healthy. Asking the right questions and knowing when and how to seek a second opinion can alleviate your doubt and possibly leave you healthier in the long run.
“I’m not surprised when a patient is a bit wary after I recommend a surgery that may require extensive recovery and life-changing implications,” says Dr. Jeremy Smith, a spine surgeon with Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine, California. “In fact, I’m more surprised when there is no doubt or question.”
Doctors expect questions, and they want you to be invested in your health care. If you find yourself uncertain about your doctor’s explanations, actions or recommendations, follow these tips to get the answers and assurance you need.
Ask Questions and Get Clarification
Sometimes doubt can be rooted in a misunderstanding. Different communication styles and confusing medical terminology can make talking with your doctor difficult. Further, research indicates your doctor may not explain things fully.
According to a 2010 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, physicians consistently thought their patients had a greater understanding of their medical care than they truly did. More than three-fourths thought their patients knew their diagnosis, when only 57 percent did. Only 21 percent of physicians said they always provided explanations to their patients, and 58 percent of patients thought their doctors always explained things in a way they could understand.
To get more clarity, prepare for your appointment and stay engaged when you’re there.
— Make a list of questions you want to ask your doctor.
— In the office, ask your doctor to explain things differently if you don’t understand.
— Bring someone who understands your personal health concerns.
“You should be coming to those consultations with a family member or friend who doesn’t stand to be so emotionally impacted by what the doctor says,” advises Martine Brousse, founder of AdviMed, a patient advocacy company. Brousse says patients can become flustered easily and shut down when they’re confused or receive a major diagnosis or treatment recommendation.
If you fully understand your doctor, but simply aren’t confident in her recommendation or conclusion, talk with another doctor.
Know When To Seek Another Opinion
Brousse and others recommend always seeking another opinion if the diagnosis is serious or the recommended treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy, is extensive. It may also be appropriate if your doctor insists nothing is wrong, but your symptoms persist or worsen, or if you’re not comfortable with the medication she’s recommending.
Maybe you think your doctor is wrong. A study in the journal BMJ Quality and Safety found that an estimated 1 in 20 Americans are affected by a diagnostic error. But even when the diagnosis is correct, the treatment recommendation may not match your approach to medical care. In either case, a second opinion is justified.
“Second opinions are welcomed by most physicians,” Smith says. And while data on the outcomes of second opinions varied widely — one review published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found anywhere from 10 to 60 percent of second opinions resulted in changed diagnosis, prognosis or treatment — seeking the expertise of someone else could provide a new outlook and recommendations, or give you confidence in your doctor’s initial input.
Know How To Seek a Second Opinion
Not only is a second opinion likely covered by your insurance, but particularly for major diagnoses and surgery recommendations, it may be required, depending on your doctor’s suggestions. If you’re unsure, call your insurance company.
Regardless of your insurance plan, you’ll want your second opinion to come from a clinic and doctor unassociated with your current physician to get the most objective evaluation. “When you ask your current doctor for a referral for a second opinion, they’re going to send you to someone they get along with, someone they share patients with and someone they have a very good working relationship with,” says Brousse, adding that this person “is not likely to contradict them.”
If you have an HMO plan, ask your insurer to start the process for an outside referral, so you don’t have to get the referral from your primary doctor. If you’re not limited by an HMO, ask friends and family members for physician recommendations. Make sure the doctor you choose is part of your insurance network, so you’ll have minimal out-of-pocket costs for the visit.
Be Open and Honest With Your Doctor
If you seek an outside opinion, your doctor will know because he’ll see the request for records and may receive the results of your second opinion. Because you want everyone involved to have all pertinent information about your care, let your doctor know of your plans. If he resists the idea of a second opinion, you should seek care elsewhere, Smith says.
Informing your doctor of the outcome is important too. You may decide to go against her recommendations — because you’ve found a doctor whose treatment suggestions are more in line with your desired approach, or the initial diagnosis was flawed — or you may have affirmed her insight when the second opinion matched the first. Either way, sharing what’s been found and your final treatment decisions is in everyone’s best interests.
Make Informed Decisions
Health care decisions — even when they seem small, like what medication to take — are best made with cooperation between doctor and informed patient. But when you don’t feel fully informed or confident in where your doctor is leading you, your health and peace of mind can hang in the balance.
“We want the best possible outcome too,” Smith says. “Having a strong foundation of knowledge and confidence on both sides of the doctor-patient relationship is the first step towards achieving this.”
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What to Do When You Doubt Your Doctor originally appeared on usnews.com
