The importance of getting another medical opinion

On Behalf of | Jun 18, 2016 | Failure To Diagnose

New Mexico residents may be left wondering if they should obtain a second opinion about their medical condition. This may be a good idea, especially considering the fact that each year around the country, 12 million individuals are given a misdiagnosis, making it one of the leading causes of fatalities in the United States.

Nowadays, the Internet features innovative worldwide online hospitals where people can go for a second opinion about their particular medical condition. This can be an important step for patients who are faced with serious health conditions and vital decisions.

While it can be time consuming and costly, obtaining a second opinion can prove to be a life-saving action. For example, in 2015 the wife of actor Tom Hanks was diagnosed with a benign lesion. However, she decided to get a second opinion, which resulted in a diagnosis of cancer in the first stages. Seeking a second opinion does not mean patients doubt their doctor, it simply means that they want to feel fully confident about the state of their health.

For those who feel awkward about getting a second opinion because they are afraid of offending their physician, they can do it anonymously. A second opinion may not only confirm a patient’s health problem, but could also allow the patient to choose from a variety of treatment options and alternative solutions offered by experienced specialists.

When people seek the advice of their general practitioner, they expect to receive an accurate diagnosis for their health condition. However, when a misdiagnosis results in a worsened condition, they may want to meet with a medical malpractice attorney to see if they have a viable claim.

Source: The Huffington Post, “When Should You Get a Second Opinion?”, Remie Lund, June 3, 2016

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