If you ever received life-changing news about your health, you probably wondered if the conclusion was correct. Were all of the right tests done? Is there more than one way to interpret the results? Is your provider an expert in this area?

This is where getting a second opinion can be incredibly helpful.

The fear of getting a second opinion

A lot of people get cold feet when it comes to getting a second opinion even when their condition is serious. I had a family member who was nervous about offending her oncologist if she saw a new one at one of the top cancer hospitals in the world.

But this fear is really unfounded, and many doctors are used to people seeking second opinions. There are many conditions where it is hard to make a conclusive diagnosis. The second opinion may help to further clarify what the first physician saw.

When it comes to your health or the health of your family, all that really matters is how you feel about your care. You have to be your own health advocate.

Why get a second opinion?

Believe it or not, second opinions are actually very common. In fact, doctors ask other doctors for second opinions all the time.

Second opinions are helpful to make sure you understand what you are getting, similar to if you were shopping for any other service. According to a Mayo Clinic study, 21% of people who got a second opinion got a new diagnosis, and 66% got their initial diagnosis clarified further by the second opinion.

The benefits of a second opinion include:

• You can confirm if a diagnosis is appropriate. As that Mayo Clinic study found, a number of diagnoses are wrong or incomplete.
• You can make more informed decisions. Even if the second opinion does not change your decisions, at least you can proceed confidently.
• You can confirm treatment recommendations are appropriate, or have other treatment options.

It is important to keep in mind that not every health system offers the same treatments. For example, different health systems may be involved in different clinical trials, or have differently trained specialists employed. That is another reason getting a second opinion, particularly from a specialist, can make a big difference.

When should you get a second opinion?

There are times when a second opinion is especially important. A general rule of thumb is to seek a second opinion for medical conditions that are life-changing or life-threatening. That includes things like:

• Cancer: Especially rare cancers or if you feel uncomfortable with your care team. Cancer treatment is both emotional and can take a very long time. It is important to feel comfortable with the providers on the care team.

• Surgery: Since surgery is invasive and most people want to avoid it, it helps to get a second opinion for more input or clarifying a condition.

• A child who is losing weight, or has persistent vomiting or blood in the stool. Even though most childhood health issues resolve on their own, if any of these symptoms are present it may be time to seek a second opinion.

You may also want a second opinion if the diagnosis or treatment are unclear. Since different diseases can have similar symptoms, it can help to see what another provider says. Especially if you get treatment but see no improvement, or your condition gets worse, it is time to get a second opinion.

Digital health is helping to remove the barriers to getting second opinions. Geography is no longer an issue – you can see top specialists who live in another city or another country. New virtual services are making it easier for people to connect with new doctors from the comfort of their own homes.

Virtual second opinion services:

There are services that will help you get a second opinion virtually. Most of these services will gather your medical history for you, and match you to a specialist. They also set up your telehealth visit with that specialist.

Yale Medicine

Yale Medicine uses PinnacleCare – a confidential healthcare advisor service that helps people get second opinions virtually. They will set up the virtual appointment, gather medical information from the primary physician, and identify the Yale Medicine specialist to provide the second opinion.

They recommend you check with your health insurer to see if a second opinion is covered.

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic offers virtual second opinions through their aptly named Virtual Second Opinions by Cleveland Clinical program. The platform connects people with a nurse care manager who gathers their health information and medical records. Then it matches the person with a Cleveland Clinic specialist.

However, it is not covered by health insurance and the cost is $1,850.

Cloud Hospital

A service called Cloud Hospital connects medical specialists at hospitals around the world to provide second opinions. The company is based in South Korea and has medical partnerships in 24 countries. They describe themselves as offering cross-border telehealth.

You pay after you book a service and the physician confirms your appointment. The cost of a basic consultation can be under $200, but prices vary.

Key takeaways:

Even though you might be nervous about offending your primary provider by asking for a second opinion, the real concern should be about your health. Providers are also so accustomed to second opinions that the fear is unfounded.

Second opinions can help you to confirm a diagnosis, ensure you know all of your treatment options, and, most importantly, support you making the most informed decisions possible. Keep in mind that not every health system offers the same treatments. Second opinions can give you access to treatments you did not know were available.

Remember the general rule of thumb is to seek a second opinion for medical conditions that are life-changing or life-threatening. Now that there are new digital services to help with second opinions, there are fewer reasons than ever to not get one.