Second Opinions

When and how should you ask for another physician's advice? Here are some guidelines

Have you ever considered asking your doctor about getting a second opinion, then decided not to risk it? Maybe you were worried that she would feel insulted. Or that he would abandon you in a fit of pique. You're not alone. No matter how many times we're told that doctors are professionals and won't take it personally, lots of us still have trouble challenging their recommendations. That's too bad, because getting a second opinion often makes a confusing or complex decision about treatment easier to deal with. Sometimes it can mean the difference between life and death.

The right to a...

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