- Anatomy of The Spine
- Back Pain in Children
- Caring for your Spine
- Emerging Spinecare Trends
- Evaluation of Spinal Disorders
- Exercise and The Spine
- Intervention - Spinal Disorders
- Intervertebral Disc
- Non Surgical Options
- Nutrition and Spinecare
- Options for Spine Treatments
- Pregnancy and Back Pain
- Prevalence of Spine Disorders
- Sleep and the Spine
- Spinecare Introduction
- Spinehealth and Disease
- Surgical Interventions
- Treatment with Medications
- Understanding Back Pain
Spinecare Topics
Spinecare Introduction
Getting a Second Opinion
2 3 4
Getting a Second Opinion
Getting a Second Opinion
It is always a good idea to consider an additional opinion. This may entail a second opinion, a third (tertiary) opinion and in some cases more than that. This is particularly important if you have been diagnosed with a serous or chronic condition. It is equally important if aggressive or invasive treatment is being recommended increasing exposure to significant adverse side effects.
Obtaining a second opinion requires that you see two separate doctors for the same set of symptoms or condition. The doctors can be in the same or in different disciplines within the healthcare field. They may specialize in different areas. You are entitled to get an additional opinion at any stage of your spinecare. Your primary care physician or primary care spine specialist may want you to see one of his or her associates or a specialist to confirm a diagnosis or a particular treatment approach; this is known as a referral or recommended consultation. Some insurance companies require a second opinion before they will cover an extensive procedure. A second opinion is always a good idea if you have any reservations about a particular course of care.
Independent Second Opinion
Some physician partners in the same practice may be less inclined to provide a different opinion than that of their partner. Consider seeking an independent second opinion. This refers to getting an opinion form a physician who does not have a business relationship with your attending physician. To get an independent opinion, you will want to go to a physician who cannot be influenced by your primary attending physician.
General Guidelines for Seeking a Second Opinion
It is never a bad idea to get a second opinion unless it would result in a delay of care that could lead to further injury or bodily compromise. Just because you don't like the sound of your diagnosis doesn't mean you need to get a second opinion. Let's say your doctor suspects you have a disc herniation compressing a spinal nerve and your attending physician wants to perform a CT/myelogram requiring the injection of a contrast agent into the spine to confirm his or her suspicions. You might not like the sound of the procedure but more importantly you may be unwilling to expose yourself to the potential adverse side effects without getting another opinion.
The following guidelines are presented to help you decide whether an additional opinion is necessary or prudent. If the answer is yes to even one of the questions below, you should strongly consider a second opinion.
It is always a good idea to consider an additional opinion. This may entail a second opinion, a third (tertiary) opinion and in some cases more than that. This is particularly important if you have been diagnosed with a serous or chronic condition. It is equally important if aggressive or invasive treatment is being recommended increasing exposure to significant adverse side effects.
Obtaining a second opinion requires that you see two separate doctors for the same set of symptoms or condition. The doctors can be in the same or in different disciplines within the healthcare field. They may specialize in different areas. You are entitled to get an additional opinion at any stage of your spinecare. Your primary care physician or primary care spine specialist may want you to see one of his or her associates or a specialist to confirm a diagnosis or a particular treatment approach; this is known as a referral or recommended consultation. Some insurance companies require a second opinion before they will cover an extensive procedure. A second opinion is always a good idea if you have any reservations about a particular course of care.
Independent Second Opinion
Some physician partners in the same practice may be less inclined to provide a different opinion than that of their partner. Consider seeking an independent second opinion. This refers to getting an opinion form a physician who does not have a business relationship with your attending physician. To get an independent opinion, you will want to go to a physician who cannot be influenced by your primary attending physician.
General Guidelines for Seeking a Second Opinion
It is never a bad idea to get a second opinion unless it would result in a delay of care that could lead to further injury or bodily compromise. Just because you don't like the sound of your diagnosis doesn't mean you need to get a second opinion. Let's say your doctor suspects you have a disc herniation compressing a spinal nerve and your attending physician wants to perform a CT/myelogram requiring the injection of a contrast agent into the spine to confirm his or her suspicions. You might not like the sound of the procedure but more importantly you may be unwilling to expose yourself to the potential adverse side effects without getting another opinion.
The following guidelines are presented to help you decide whether an additional opinion is necessary or prudent. If the answer is yes to even one of the questions below, you should strongly consider a second opinion.
2 3 4
