Should you always get a second medical opinion?

Kenyans are generally hesitant to get a second medical opinion. They fear appearing to doubt the skills, knowledge or ability of their doctors.  Others worry that their actions will upset their doctors and portray them as difficult and ungrateful. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • But not every patient requires a second opinion. For instance a straight forward conclusive finding of diabetes because of persistently high sugars would not necessarily require a second opinion to confirm because the findings are likely to be the same. In fact, valuable time might be wasted getting a second opinion in such cases. 
  • Major non-emergency surgeries like organ removal or expensive invasive diagnostic procedures are examples of situations where patients are within their rights to demand for and get a second expert opinion. 
  • Another form of second opinion is where a clinical laboratory sends specimens to other laboratories within or outside the country, either as a quality control measure or for specialised tests.

The healthcare system has had an exclusive grip on all patient care decisions for far too long at the expense of consumer’s rights. Clinicians routinely communicate life changing diagnoses like cancer or diabetes with an emotionless finality. Plans of care, treatment options or the possibility of a second medical opinion are hardly ever discussed. 

The time for healthcare consumers to step up and demand what they deserve is now.  If surgery is planned or medications are prescribed, patients should know how, when, and why. If tests are ordered, the results should likewise be discussed and availed to the patient.

Kenyans are generally hesitant to get a second medical opinion. They fear appearing to doubt the skills, knowledge or ability of their doctors.  Others worry that their actions will upset their doctors and portray them as difficult and ungrateful.

These fears are not misplaced.  Our healthcare system has its share of insecure professionals with fragile egos and deep vulnerabilities. Raw greed abounds with clinicians  claiming “ownership” over their patients.  This has been the key driver in the surge of patients being sent overseas for basic tests or treatments. 

Patients can request for second medical opinion on the diagnosis, investigations or the treatment or if they just want a fresh perspective on their case. 

MAJOR SURGERIES

There are studies that show a significant number of patients demand a second medical opinion because they are unhappy with the quality of communication with their current doctor. Sometimes patients are also frustrated with the length of time their  doctor takes to make an accurate diagnosis.

Major non-emergency surgeries like organ removal or expensive invasive diagnostic procedures are examples of situations where patients are within their rights to demand for and get a second expert opinion. 

But not every patient requires a second opinion. For instance a straight forward conclusive finding of diabetes because of persistently high sugars would not necessarily require a second opinion to confirm because the findings are likely to be the same. In fact, valuable time might be wasted getting a second opinion in such cases. 

Doctors too seek second opinions from their colleagues all the time without having to involve their patients. This is done informally, on hospital corridors or formally in expert panels. Patients with challenging problems are presented to a team of experts who provide new insights on planned interventions. Tumour boards are now part of best practices in cancer care. 

This is where majority of the cancer cases are regularly discussed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.  Care is then planned based on expert input from multiple specialists as opposed to a sole decision maker. This way, there is very little difference between cancer treatments offered to patients  locally and treatment offered overseas because Kenyan specialists follow internationally standardised treatment approaches. 

Another form of second opinion is where a clinical laboratory sends specimens to other laboratories within or outside the country, either as a quality control measure or for specialised tests. This benefits the patient without the inconveniences of expensive travels.

Nearly all Kenyans will face at least one major medical decision in their lifetime when treatment choices are ambiguous or confusing. Getting a second opinion in such cases is not just recommended but should be facilitated.