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WHEN TO GET A SECOND OPINION
Posted: Aug 08 2008 01:38 AM |
    Hi, Everyone!
I would love to share a great Article with all of you and I hope you enjoy reading it. I Love All Of You and God Bless All Of You!
Love,
Shirley Ruth Caron
WELCOME TO: "WHEN TO GET A SECOND OPINION" - Whether you're uneasy about a Treatment Plan or think something's wrong when your Doc says you're fine, you're entitled to go elsewhere to make sure you're on the right track. Follow these steps and feel confident about your Care. BY SANDRA GORDON
Radical Masectomy. Coronary Bypass Surgery. Limb Amputation. If you were told by a Physician you needed one of these Major Medical Procedures, chances are you'd go for a Second Opinion. But other, more nundane Health Issues often deserve just as much extra attention-and yet don't get it. In fact, 36% of U.S. Adults never seek a Second Opinion when dealing with a Medical Problem, according to a Harris interactive Survey. But another expert's take on a situation can make a significant difference in your Diagnosis, Treatment Plan or Quality of Life. A University of Michigan Study, for example, found that more than half of Breast Cancer Patients who got a Second Opinion received critical changes in their Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Recommendations. In some cases Cancer was discovered in the other Breast, which had been considered healthy. Other times the patient was found to be Cancer Free. "Especially with Major Diseases like Breast Cancer, a Second Opinion can be Lifesaving," says Michael Sabel, M.D., associate professor of Surgery at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor and the study's lead author. With a fresh pair of eyes on Lab Reports, X-rays, Ultrasounds and Other Tests, you increase the chances you're on the right track and getting top-notch care, says Dr. Sabel. The situation definitely doesn't have to be Life or Death to warrant a Second Look. Even being prescribed a new medication can merit a visit to another Primary Care Physician (PCP).
"Also keep in mind that there are more Treatment Options than ever before for many Diseases and Conditions," says Judy L. Smith, M.D., Medical Director of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. "With a Second Opinion you're able to more fully understand your choices, so you can make an informed, deliberate decision about your care."
TEAM UP WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. Getting a Second Opinion can feel awkward. Won't your Doctor be offended that you're second-guessing his expertise? "No Doctor who is confident in his skills should mind somebody else taking a look," says Peter Salgo, M.D., an Intensive Care Physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and host of the PBS series Second Opinion. (If your Doctor is insulted, it's probably time to find a new PCP.) In fact, you should involve your Doctor in the process. "Your PCP can even make recommendations for getting another opinion," says Dr. Smith. Bring up the subject by saying, "I want to know as much about this Condition as possible.
Can you recommend a Specialist you trust?" For an Unbiased Second Opinion, ask for a referral to a different Medical Institution from your first.
START YOUR OWN INVESTIGATION.
Should you ever get a Second Opinion without revealing to Docor B that you've seen Doctor A? Possibly. "If you haven't already had any Major Medical Tests, such as a Cardiac Catheterization, a Biopsy or a Mammogram, you can seek a Second Opinion blindly if you want to," says Dr. Salgo. Otherwise, you might be put through the same battery of tests again, which can be time consuming, costly and risky, depending on how invasive the tests are, he says. An additional Mammogram, for example, can increase your exposure to Radiation. Instead, try to get your hands on your medical test results and lab reports, and take them along with you to Doctor B's office. You can say, "I've been diagnosed with X, and I'd like to get more information and another opinion on my situation."
BE SURE YOU'RE COVERED.
Most Health insurers pay for a Second Opinion, especially if it's with an in-network Physician. (In some States Second Opinions are mandated, so Insurers must pay for them.) Before an appointment with a new Doctor check with your Health Plan regarding its policies and the guidelines you need to follow. When speaking with a Health Plan Representative, jot down the date of your call and that person's name. If there's a discrepancy later on, your notations (as in "On September 28, 2008, I spoke with Representative Jane Doe, who told me Second Opinions were covered") may help resolve it.
GATHER YOUR RECORDS. Before your Second-Opinion visit, work with your current Doctor's Administrative Staff to round up your Medical Records. You may need to do some Personal legwork to retrieve X-rays, Biopsies and other Lab Results by going back to the Lab or hospital where the tests were done. Also, learn all you can about your Illness and Treatment Options before your appointment by consulting reputable Internet sites related to your Symptoms or Condition, such cancer.org or americanheart.org. "Use the Second-Opinion appointment to confirm what you've been reading and to focus your question,"
DR. Salgo says. To get your focus straight, take notes in the appointment, bring a tape recorder or have a friend come along with you. When it's time for the Second Physicians's judgment call, ask why, as in "Why do you think I need X, Y or Z?" Concentrating on the reasoning of every Doctor you consult with can help you decide which Physician and
Treatment Plan to stick with and which to ignore. If you get a radically different Second Opinion, it's fine to seek a Third or even Fourth Opinion. That's not unusual in rare or complex cases. After you've done your homework, weigh your options carefully.
Having a Medical Crisis can make you feel powerless. But you have the final say about your body and what happens to it. "Remember, in the end, the Doctor is there to give you advice, but you're the ultimate decision maker," says Dr. Salgo.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS AND YOUR INTUITION." -Caitlin Anderson, 42
Seven years ago Caitlin was diagnosed with Congenital Hip Dysplasia (basically, a Dislocated Hip) after her side started to hurt and she developed a limp. "Over the next decade I began to trip often and get nasty headaches," says the Mother of one from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Another Doctor blamed her symptoms on the fact that she carried her then-toddler Daughter a lot.
By age 40, when Caitlin couldn't put her pants on without losing her balance, she decided to go to a new Primary Care Physician. First, an X-ray ruled out Hip Dysplasia and then the Physical Therapist her Doctor recommended told her that her symptoms were Neurological, not Structural. She finally saw a Neurologist and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
"Suddenly, it all made sense," she says.
HOW TO FIND A NEW DOCTOR
If you don't feel comfortable asking your Primary Doctor for a referral, there are other options:
* Your HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN'S MEMBER SERVICES DEPARTMENT should be able to give you a list of Affiliated Physicians who can provide a Second Opinion.
* If your company's HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT has a Corporate Relationship with Top Hospitals in your area, it may be able to recommend Reputable Specialists and then use its clout to help get you appointments.
* LOCAL HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL SCHOOLS can usually provide the names of Specialists.
Many Major Hospitals have referral services that can help you identify an Affiliated Physician with the expertise you need.
*Disease-specific INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS, Chat Rooms and E-mail List serv discussions can also be a way to get the Names, Telephone Numbers and E-mail Addresses of Medical Specialists from all over the country.
* Since LOCAL PHARMACISTS are familiar with Physicians in their area, consider asking yours for a recommendation.
* National Health Organizations, such as the NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (nmss.org), the AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION (diabetes.org), the NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK (www.nccn.org) and your Local AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Branch (americanheart.org), may be able to tell you about the closest Treatment Facilities and Multidisciplinary Disease Centers that can provide you with a Second Opinion. The AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (ama-assn.org) offers DoctorFinder, which provides General Information about Licensed Physicians.
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Shirley Caron
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 Nick Sym
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Re: WHEN TO GET A SECOND OPINION
Posted: Aug 08 2008 09:14 AM |
Hi Shirley, This year I have lost far too many friends to cancer, with the latest funeral being yesterday. It's awful and I'm tired of crying, so........  Your friend, Jen |
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"The ultimate ignorance is the rejection of something you know nothing about and refuse to investigate |
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