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Will asking for a second opinion offend my doctor? | Expert Opinion

Not sure how to broach the topic of wanting a second opinion before following doctor's orders? Here's how.

No, your doctor won't be offended if you want a second opinion. Be clear about what you want and why.
No, your doctor won't be offended if you want a second opinion. Be clear about what you want and why.Read moreAndrew Harrer / Bloomberg

An ideal doctor-patient relationship is based on trust, honesty, and respect.

Patients want to express themselves freely and their physician should be able to listen openly and without judgment. Some people may worry that seeking a second opinion undermines this trust, but it doesn’t have to.

You should be able to have a conversation about seeking a second opinion without hurting your doctor’s feelings or insulting your doctor’s medical expertise. Here’s how to do it:

Tell your doctor why you want a second opinion

What do you hope to gain from involving another physician in your care? Some people simply want another set of eyes to review a diagnosis or recommended treatment. Maybe you want to involve a physician from another specialty to see whether your diagnosis would be handled differently.

In the case of surgery, you may want to hear about different approaches, expectations for recovery, and rehabilitation.

» READ MORE: Your primary care doctor can help you with mental health challenges, too | Expert Opinion

The best approach to seeking a second opinion is making your physician aware so that this person can support you and still be involved in your care.

Set clear expectations

Sometimes people want to involve another physician to provide an alternative treatment or additional testing. As a primary care physician, I fully support this. However, it can get confusing when multiple physicians are ordering labs, managing medications, and directing care for the same condition.

Have a conversation with your physician so you both understand the expectations. Clarify which condition is being managed by which provider, who orders the labs and when, who refills medications, and how everyone communicates. Defining these parameters will help avoid delays in care and minimize confusion.

Be honest

Patients may seek second opinions to communicate that they are displeased with their current care plan. Trust me, primary care physicians know that we will not always be in complete agreement with our patients. Sometimes we have difficult conversations with our patients to explore what isn’t going smoothly and how to get back on track. These conversations are always worth having.

If you are struggling to get what you need from your physician, speaking up is important. The best-case scenario is you come to a resolution and both feel more confident in the relationship. Alternatively, you may realize that this provider isn’t the best fit for you.

A second opinion can be incredibly useful for both patient and physician and can lead to a more productive relationship, better care, and improved health outcomes.

Amanda Finegold Swain is a family medicine physician who works in the University of Pennsylvania Health System.