Wellness

[Sunshine Kate]

I'm going for a second opinion about an ear problem I'm having.

I went to an Ear Nose & Throat doctor, but I'm going to see another ENT for an opinion.

Should I tell the new doctor upfront what the other doctor has done to no avail, or just go as a new patient and tell him what's wrong.

TIA

[gizmogal]

I give as much information as I can to every doctor I want to use for any re-evaluation or second opinion.  I'm not interested in testing their skill to figure stuff out when I could supply information or tests or any input that could develop or clarify a diagnosis.

A second opinion is not a challenge to see if the doctor can reach the same conclusion. It's to give as good a summation and level of detail as is already known about my condition and have this second doctor make an independent evaluation and treatment plan based on best practices, his/her experience, and types of treatment choices I can also make for myself. 

I also don't want tests repeated at needless expense and effort when I can supply the records or results of recent tests. So I bring test results or have them sent to the second opinion doctor before my appointment.  

These are only my own views and feelings about how to best use medical professionals and the health care system. Others may like keeping the second doctor "blind" to see how it all comes out by making the second doctor repeat tests and come to his/her own conclusions with no prior input. 

Wishing you good luck with your health and may you soon have peace of mind. 

[LuvmyLab]

@Sunshine Kate I also have been having an ear problem and I am seeing my 4th doctor for this issue next Monday. It's not that they aren't good doctors, they just can't seem to find a solution to my problem. I would be totally up front with the next doctor you see.  If see are seeing a different doctor in the same clinic, they will have access to your records anyway.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Give the new doc as much information as possible.  Tell him/her you’ve already been to one doc and provide a detail of your symptoms, and what treatments you’ve already tried. Acting as If this is a brand new problem, he/she would likely follow the same method of diagnosing as the first one and could likely suggest the same treatment that’s already proven to be unsuccessful for you. Being forthcoming would rule those things out right from the beginning.  

[on the bay]

@Sunshine Kate,

For me, I'd go as a new patient and see what he/she says.

 Then esp, if different, I would tell him what the previous dr advized and see what they say.

[Still Raining]

Notify the new office of the reason for your visit so they can pull your records.

Otherwise everyone's time will be wasted.

[Effie54]

Don't say anything about the other doctor. I have found that when you're getting a second opinion, the doctors nose sort of gets out of joint when you tell them you've been to someone previously. I would say nothing, and see what this doctor says. This way you can choose which one you like better, and who you feel more comfortable with. You don't need to tell the second opinion that you went to someone else first.

[ChillyTulip]

Get your old records and have them sent to the new ENT. This gives them time to review what has been done and where to go next.  Don't waste your time and their time by pretending nothing was done yet.  That simply wastes precious time, money, and resources. Besides if the ENT thiniks something should be repeated, they will do that. Tell him/her you are seeking a second opinion. One word of caution: don't bad mouth the old ENT to your new physician. It only makes you look bad. 

[chrystaltree]

Yes, you should tell him that you are there for a second opinion and tell him what the first doctor said.  He'll want to be objective and form his own conclusions but he should know the background.  Also you want him to the visit correctly, as a second opinion.  Smart patients who know how to manage their Healthcare, get second opinions.  You don't have to hide it.  

[Deree]

I've gone for enough 2nd opinions and I always tell the 2nd doctor that s/he is my 2nd opinion.  Doctors understand that people go for 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions.  At these appointments, I also bring whatever test results, films, etc., I have from the first doctor.