Get a Medical Second Opinion - iCliniq

Medical Second Opinion

Benefits

A medical second opinion gives you a new perspective on the health situation at hand. It provides clarity when you have doubts about pursuing the current course of treatment or looking for other options. At times there can be several ways to treat a specific condition.

Getting a second opinion can help you become aware of all the options before coming to a decision by yourself. A medical second opinion can give you peace of mind by letting you understand the broader spectrum of the problem and helps you make an informed decision.

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Who needs a second opinion?

Patients who are facing a tough time choosing the best treatment option and who are not clear on how to make a health care decision should seek a medical second opinion. If you are having the following doubts, it is best to get a second opinion.

  • Is surgery the only option?
  • Is an expensive test really necessary?
  • Do you have to subject yourself to invasive tests?
  • Does your condition warrant treatment?
  • Should you wait for a while for the condition to get better on its own?
  • Is risky surgery really worth it?
  • Trying other treatment options.
  • Whether the diagnosis was not accurate.
  • Is the treatment very toxic?
  • Systemic Examination
  • If you want to be a part of a clinical trial for a new drug or procedure.
  • If your health plan mandates a second opinion.

Most people feel that getting a second opinion or talking to their doctor about it will create an uncomfortable relationship with them, which might affect their treatment plan and care. But what they need to understand is getting a second opinion is their right, and most doctors encourage their patients to get a second opinion. Once the patient knows that more than one doctor is rooting for a given treatment plan, he or she gets more confident about the treatment outcome.

FAQ

How will a second opinion help me?

In the following conditions, getting a second opinion might be essential:

  • 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.

How to ask for a second opinion?

Once you have decided that getting a second opinion is the best way to proceed, politely talk to your current treating doctor. You will need all your medical records, test results, and other records for consulting another doctor. Some physicians might also suggest other specialists that you can consult, or you can consult experienced and professionally trained doctors on online second opinion platforms, such as iCliniq.

What are the conditions that make patients look for a second opinion?

The patients diagnosed with the following conditions commonly look for a second opinion:

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

What is the best way to get a second opinion?

  • 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.

What to ask the second doctor?

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.

Is it always necessary to get a second opinion?

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.

Am I insulting my doctor by requesting a second opinion?

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.

What are the things to ask the second doctor?

You would have to give the doctor, from whom you want a second opinion, your medical records and test results. And you can make a list of things that you should ask during the appointment. These include:

  • 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?

What to do after getting a second opinion?

If both the doctors are suggesting the same treatment plan, then you can proceed with the course of treatment with confidence. And if the doctor suggested an alternate treatment option, which you find acceptable, then you can go ahead with that treatment plan.

When should I get a second opinion?

It is not necessary to get a second opinion for every health condition, but in the following situations, it might be best to get one:

  • 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.

What are the things to remember while getting a second opinion?

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.

What to do after getting a second opinion?

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 to get a second opinion for getting surgery?

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.

When to get a third opinion?

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.

Why iCliniq?

4500+

doctors

80+

specialties

190+

Countries

New Perspective

New Perspective

We help you get a better understanding of your medical condition and get answers that are specific to your queries.

From the Comfort of Your Home

From the Comfort of Your Home

The entire process of posting your case and receiving your report can be done seamlessly, without having to travel around in strenuous situations.

24/7 Support

24/7 Support

We have a dedicated round-the-clock support team, who can assist you with any clarifications you want while posting your case on the site.

Expert in Teleconsultation

Expert in Teleconsultation

Having helped solve over 1,000,000 cases already, our team is well versed in handling complex cases online and delivering your exact requirements

Health Record Maintenance

Health Record Maintenance

The case that you post on the site and the opinion given by our doctor will stay in our database and can be accessed only by you. Data security is top-notch at iCliniq.

Cost-Saving

Cost-Saving

Our services might prevent you from getting unnecessary and expensive tests or surgeries, which will save you time and money.

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What we need from you

For you to get the best medical second opinion, it is imperative to convey as many details as possible regarding your existing condition. Please make sure not to report any incorrect information. Even minor errors can change the course of the actual opinion.

The following details are a must for our team to provide a comprehensive medical second opinion.
  • Demographic Data
  • History of Presenting Illness
  • Other Medical History
  • Previous Surgical History
  • Current Medications
  • Family History
  • Social History
  • Allergies
  • Vital Signs
  • Systemic Examination
  • Diagnostics & Investigations
  • Current Treatment Plan

Our Promise

Our team will carefully consider all the details given and get back to you with a detailed assessment and plan in a professional format. The medical second opinion we provide will have all the following details.

  • Diagnosis
  • Causes
  • Investigation
  • Treatment
  • Surgical treatment
  • Medication
  • Specialty
  • Follow up
  • Preventive Measures
  • Dietary Measures

All the information you provide on the site is private and confidential. None of your personal details will be made visible on the site. The information you have provided on the website will only be used to interpret your health condition and provide you with the right medical second opinion.

$299

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We have 4500+ doctors across 80+ specialties, including top specialties like:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Hematology
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Medical and surgical Oncology
  • Medical Gastroenterology
  • Orthopedics and Traumatology
  • HIV-AIDS specialty

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Dhruv Suyamprakasam(CEO of iCliniq) speaks at the graduation ceremony of the Nasdaq milestone makers program, at the Nasdaq entrepreneurial Centre in San Francisco, California, USA.

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