Second opinion (medicine)

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

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

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

A second opinion can be 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. Some reasons for which a patient may seek out a second opinion include:

Getting a second opinion about cancer treatment or diagnosis is relatively straightforward. The patient can ask their cancer specialist to refer them to another specialist or they can ask their General Practitioner (GP) to refer them or they can seek out a private second opinion.

Second opinions may also be obtained by employers.

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

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Wikipedia