Sometimes, parents feel nervous if they want to visit another to get a second opinion for their child. However, if you feel that your child’s doctor might not be giving your child a good diagnosis, then there’s nothing wrong with going to another physician to get a second opinion.
What’s a second opinion?
Getting a second opinion basically means consulting with a second doctor in order to get another diagnosis for your child’s illness. In some cases, doctors themselves will recommend you to get a second opinion if they feel that they’re unable to diagnose your child’s condition, or if they feel that your child needs to consult with a specialist.
An example would be if your child is suffering from a rash or an allergy, and your physician refers you to another doctor who specializes in allergies or skin diseases.
It can also be the case that parents get a second opinion on their own, which is called a self-referral. Sometimes getting a an opinion from a different doctor this way confirms the first doctor’s diagnosis, but there can also be cases wherein the second opinion can be very different from the first doctor’s assessment. Usually, getting a second opinion helps parents feel more confident about their child’s diagnosis, and gives them peace of mind since they know exactly how they can treat their child’s condition.
There are some drawbacks
Getting a second opinion isn’t recommended all the time. Sometimes, it can also have drawbacks, such as paying more for the same diagnosis or going through a number of tests only to find out that those tests weren’t really necessary.
A second opinion can also sometimes cause problems with you and your child’s doctor, especially if you don’t inform them beforehand that you’ll one. It can destroy the trust between you and your child’s doctor, and you might have some trouble looking for another doctor.
The important thing to remember would be to understand that your child’s doctor is doing their best in order to help you and your child, and that trust is important when it comes to a doctor-patient relationship.
When should you get a second opinion?
If you feel like your child’s doctor isn’t concerned about your child, or if your child’s condition keeps reoccurring even after several treatments, then by all means, get a second opinion.
This is especially true if your child has been diagnosed with a serious ailment, then there’s nothing wrong with trying to consult with various doctors in order to get the best diagnosis for your child.
Here’s a list of some situations wherein you should get a second opinion:
- If surgery is recommended.
- If the diagnosis is uncertain.
- If it’s a serious ailment.
- If the treatment is risky.
- If the treatment isn’t working.
- If you’re not confident in your doctor’s ability.
Always remember that your child’s health comes first before everything else, and there’s no harm in trying to make sure that your child is getting the best care possible.
READ: 5 signs your child needs an eye check-up now!
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