Why New Mexico patients may need to seek a second medical opinion
You depend on your doctor in New Mexico to keep you in good health and give you the information you need to make proper medical decisions. If you receive a serious medical diagnosis or learn you may need major surgery, should you seek out a second opinion? If you do decide to turn to another medical expert, does that compromise your relationship with your current doctor? Here is some information to help you gain clarity.
Your peace of mind
Maybe you feel your doctor is not taking your concerns seriously. Or perhaps you feel as though there is a gap in communication between you and your physician. Either way, you are left feeling a great sense of unease. No one knows your body like you, and getting a second opinion can deliver the peace of mind you need and deserve to move forward. Also, that second opinion could catch a health problem your main physician should have diagnosed the first time.
You do not like the proposed treatment plan
While your doctor may have caught an issue in time, you could have issues with the proposed treatment plan. It could be too invasive for your liking, or the treatment could be well out of your price range. Medical technologies, breakthroughs and treatments are being discovered at a rapid rate. There may be a viable alternative you are more comfortable with, one that is just as effective as your current plan. The only way to know for sure is to get the opinion of another physician.
There are gaps in your treatment
It is possible your doctor did not conduct all the necessary tests before creating a treatment plan, a plan that may include something as extreme as chemotherapy. Test results can mean the difference between having cancer and having cell inflammation. You do not want to find out too late that your doctor left gaps in your diagnosis, something that can result in a medical malpractice case.
Your finances are on the line
Even if you have insurance, there is no guarantee your policy will cover every penny of any medical treatment your doctor says you need. It is no secret that healthcare costs are ever-rising, and many people have had to file for bankruptcy and go deep into debt to try to pay their medical bills.
When it comes to expensive and extensive medical treatment, you owe it to yourself to get a second opinion. Your doctor should understand where you are coming from.
Do not hesitate to get multiple medical opinions if you have doubts about your current physician. Depending on your situation, you may need to seek legal advice from a New Mexico attorney who specializes in medical malpractice.