A second opinion is an opinion on a matter disputed by two or more parties.

Law

In legal cases, a second opinion which contradicts the opinion of a jointly retained expert may be disregarded as not being impartial.[1]

Consumer rights

In cases such as car repairs, a second opinion should be obtained in writing, and the original garage given an opportunity to rectify matters.[2] In the case of clients' disputes with domestic building contractors, the builder may seek a second opinion to confirm their view.[3]

Medicine

A second opinion can be a visit to a physician other than the one a patient has previously been seeing in order to get more information or to hear a differing point of view.[4][5] Some reasons for which a patient may seek out a second opinion include:

  • Physician recommends surgery.
  • Physician diagnoses patient with serious illness (such as cancer).[6]
  • Physician recommends a treatment for the patient other than what the patient believes is necessary.
  • When physician recommends elective surgery, it may be required by the insurance plan. In other cases, insurance will not pay for a second opinion.[7]
  • Patient believes they have a condition that the physician diagnosed incorrectly or failed to diagnose.[6]
  • The physician themself recommends a second opinion.[6][8]

Different payment procedures apply to different second opinions. For example, some health plans pay for second opinions for members; many employers offer free second opinion benefits through companies like Grand Rounds or similar companies; and some states have public programs for cancer second opinions.[9]

Workplace disputes

Second opinions may also be obtained by employers.[10]

Professional mediation

Professional mediators may be asked for second opinions regarding whether to proceed to trial or seek a settlement instead.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Nancy F. Atlas; Stephen K. Huber; E. Wendy Trachte-Huber (2000). Alternative Dispute Resolution: The Litigator's Handbook. American Bar Association. p. 262. ISBN 978-1-57073-812-8.
  2. ↑ "Problems with the quality of garage repairs or service". Citizens Advice Bureau. CAB website. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Handling customer complaints". QBCC website. Queensland Building and Construction Commission. 2014-05-02. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Kyle Beardsley (18 August 2011). The Mediation Dilemma. Cornell University Press. pp. 37. ISBN 978-0-8014-5003-7.
  5. ↑ British Medical Association (31 January 2012). Medical Ethics Today: The BMA's Handbook of Ethics and Law. John Wiley & Sons. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-4443-5564-2.
  6. 1 2 3 "New National Survey Shows Almost a Third of Second Medical Opinions Result... -- re> ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 17 /PRNewswire/ --". Archived from the original on 2013-12-24.
  7. ↑ "Apply for a Scholarship | Patient Advocate Foundation".
  8. ↑ Chiosea, SI; Peel, R; Barnes, EL; Seethala, RR (April 2009). "Salivary type tumors seen in consultation". Virchows Archiv. 454 (4): 457–66. doi:10.1007/s00428-009-0742-x. PMID 19271235. S2CID 28378251.
  9. ↑ "A second opinion could save your life". Los Angeles Times. 24 May 2015.
  10. ↑ Lisa Granger (2010). Best Practices in Occupational Health, Safety, Workers Compensation and Claims Management for Employers: Assisting Employers in Navigating "The Road to Zero". Universal-Publishers. p. 159. ISBN 978-1-59942-812-3.
  11. ↑ Victoria Pynchon (10 April 2012). Success as a Mediator For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 89–90. ISBN 978-1-118-07862-4.


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