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Trust, but verify – This was undoubtedly one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received; and when it comes to your health, it’s absolutely imperative that you follow it. I don’t mean to imply that your doctor is incapable or inefficient, but when it comes to major medical issues, it’s always advisable to get a second opinion. This way, you not only prevent irreparable medical errors, you also gain peace of mind in knowing you made the right choice after taking into consideration all the factors at hand.

While most people know that a second opinion is important, they don’t know how to go about getting one. The most difficult part of this decision is finding a doctor or healthcare professional they can trust. Also, if both doctors provide contrasting opinions, how do they know whom to believe without going in for a third opinion? The answer to this differs from patient to patient – it varies according to various factors like cost, time, urgency, effort, opinions of friends and family, and others.

In general, a second opinion is desirable and even necessary when the diagnosis is complicated and not easy, when the surgical or medical procedure recommended by your doctor is risky and could have permanent or devastating consequences, when you don’t believe your primary doctor’s opinion or when you think you may have a condition that they have not diagnosed, when you believe that there are alternatives to your doctor’s suggested course of treatment that are less invasive, less painful, and equally effective, when your primary doctor is not a specialist in the disease you suffer from and other physicians are more qualified to offer opinions, or when you’re just confused and don’t know what to do.

Diagnoses of cancer, heart disease and the recommendation of a bypass or other kind of surgery, amputation of a limb, hysterectomy, termination of pregnancy for a fetal anomaly or danger to the mother’s health, removal of brain and other malignant tumors, and other such major life-affecting decisions are better taken with a second and even third opinion.
If you’re ready for a second opinion and want to get one, ask your doctor (if he or she is not going to be offended) or someone you trust to recommend a suitable specialist or healthcare facility.

Check with your insurance provider if your second opinion is covered in your policy or if you will incur an additional cost. If the second opinion varies significantly from the first, get a third and even fourth opinion to be sure, especially in the case of life-threatening or life-changing diseases and conditions. When you’ve decided on the course of treatment that you think is right for you, get your primary doctor to transfer your medical history and records to your new healthcare provider.

And finally, a word of advice; before you seek a second opinion, read up about your condition or disease through books and other sources that are validated and reputable. Don’t believe random Internet sites that are not authenticated or written by a specialist. This knowledge is just for information purposes alone, not something that you base your final decision on. Leave that to your doctor as he or she knows best when it comes to treatment and management of disease.

This article is contributed by Susan White, who regularly writes on the subject of surgical technician schools. She invites your questions, comments at her email address: susan.white33@gmail.com.

Many patients find that the doctor you go to for a second opinion will often be very critical of the first doctor. When a new doctor criticises what the old one did, patients feel frustrated, because they feel it reflects badly on their choice of a doctor.

Why are doctors so happy to criticise their colleagues and peers at the drop of a hat ?

Some of this is simply a power game. Doctors do their best to try to look good for their patients, and by demonstrating the errors and shortcomings of the earlier doctors, they are emphasising how much good they are ! The hidden subtext is - You made the right decision when you came to me - I am the best !

Some of this is simple oneupmanship. Doctors are highly competitive and proud of their intellectual prowess and surgical skills. They take delight in highlighting the shortcomings of their peers, because this reinforces their belief that they are the best ! Medical students have always been competitive, and this immature streak persists , no matter how much they age !

Some doctors will do this as a subtle form of marketing, to cater to the patient's desire. When patients come for a second opinion, they want something new, something different ! Smart doctors are happy to comply , because this tactic offers their patients with new hope, and helps them to justify their consultation fees !

Thus, some doctors will order additional tests ( and the more expensive these are the better ! The really smart ones will say that the tests have to be sent abroad to a highly specialised lab , adding to their aura of omniscience ! ). Others will change the prescription ( often writing exactly the same drug, but with a different brand name , so it costs a lot more, or has to be "imported" !)

Unfortunately, this kind of critical approach has a backlash. For one, patients start believing that doctors are incompetent , and cannot be trusted. This will lead to more lawsuits in the future.
Even worse, remember your friend will return the favour when he gets a chance to do so !

Few doctors have the maturity to say - Yes, your doctor has done a good job and you are on the right track. Please go back to him !

This is a guest post from Mr Aditya Patkar, Sales Director, Plus91, in which I am an angel investor.

A doctor today has many opportunities to reach out and touch his patients. Clever technology can help him do so very easily and inexpensively – but many doctors do not take advantage of these simple tools ! Why should you bother ? For one , it makes you popular amongst patients – and will help you become even busier ! Patients will rave about doctors who take the time and trouble to contact them – and this will help you to stand out ! Doing so will also help to educate other patients, who will be happy to offer you their blessings because you have shared your wisdom with them. Finally, contributing to the knowledgebase of the community improves the community you are a part of – and help you become a respected leader in your community !

So what do you need to do?

1. Reach out to many people as possible. The internet lets you update and express your views, either as 160 character bursts on twitter, or as a long thoughtful post on your blog , detailing your experience.

Twitter: On twitter you can start putting up bursts of interesting cases you see, new techniques you hear about, and information about your local medical network which may help people in your area! Go onto www.twitter.com, register yourself and type away.

Blogging: If you are doing research which you think people should hear about, blog about it ! Many people will find it online as they search for information about their problem , and they will be happy to treat you as a trusted authority if you provide this information on your blog. Go to www.blogger.com and start your own blog !

2. Allow people to contact you: Step one is to get a website. It helps you disseminate information about your services for patients looking for the same. This is not advertising, it’s offering a service to patients who need information and education about their medical problems and treatment options. Patients face many choices and are hampered by a lack of reliable information. On your website, please don’t only talk about yourself ! Rather, tell patients more about what diseases and disabilities you treat, what are the latest treatments, and maybe even offer them a second opinion to help them get the best possible treatment ( even if they do not come to you !)

One of Plus91's missions is that every Indian doctor should have their own website ! Check out what we offer at www.websitefordoctors.in. We will hold your hand and guide you through the entire process to maximize the impact on your patients .

3. Using Software: Modern EMR ( electronic medical software) comes with integrated communications tools which allow you to painlessly and seamlessly contact your patients, either through email or SMSes !

Plus91’s EMR packages allow you to send SMSes to sendalerts, appointment reminders and prescription reminders to your patients !This is a new level of service, and patients will be thrilled to know that you provided automated intelligent alerts to help them get the best medical care ! You can see our products on www.plus91online.com


These are just some pointers on how technology can help you to to interact with your patients – without spending much time or money ! Leverage your time and expertise using modern technology – Plus91 will be happy to help you to do so, so you can delight your patients !