medical care

There can be tremendous value in getting a second opinion. I’m certain about that. At times, though, the process of getting a second opinion can cause unnecessary angst for patients and doctors, alike. It shouldn’t. Here’s my take.

What do we mean by a second opinion?

We’re talking about an additional opinion from a doctor who has not already been a part of things–somebody who did not offer the first opinion. Perhaps that’s obvious. Ordinarily, the process of getting a second opinion involves:

Gathering information (eg, records, test results) that formed the basis for the first opinion for some new doctor to review.
An in-person visit with the second doctor for the purpose of an interview and physical examination.
A discussion with this doctor, where the second opinion is shared with the patient, highlighting the similarities and differences from the first opinion.

Most commonly, we’re talking about second opinions from medical specialists or subspecialists rather than primary care physicians (PCPs).

When is a second opinion helpful?

Here are some situations where second opinions can be helpful. For each situation, I’ve included an example of an athlete-related heart problem.

When the diagnosis is uncertain. Not everything in medicine is black and white. As they say, the practice of medicine is both an art and a science. Sometimes, even when all of the relevant information has been gathered, it’s still not possible to decide with certainty as to a diagnosis. In this situation, a second opinion may help to sort out the diagnosis by bringing additional experience as well as a fresh set of eyes and ears to the problem.

An example. The condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be a difficult diagnosis to establish. There are known genetic mutations associated with this condition, but only a small percentage of cases can be diagnosed that way. In many cases, the diagnosis depends on the findings from echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), clinical features, and family history. In some athletes, there can be particular difficulty in distinguishing between an athletic heart, simply the result of exercise, and HCM. It’s easy for this diagnosis to be uncertain. In this situation, a second opinion may help to gather consensus about the diagnosis or suggest additional diagnostic testing that might be helpful.

When the treatment carries high risk, is expensive, or is logistically difficult. The diagnosis is settled and the conventional treatment involves a fair bit of risk. Often, we’re talking about a surgical procedure. In this situation, a second opinion may bring clarity to the need for treatment and confirmation that the planned treatment is appropriate.

An example. The condition known as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) can involve regurgitation (leaking) of the aortic valve as well as enlargement of the nearby aorta to form an aortic aneurysm. When this diagnosis is established in a non-emergency setting and the patient requires replacement of the aortic valve and the nearby aorta, there are often several related, but technically different, surgical options. There are different types of prosthetic heart valves and different types of substitutes to take the place of the aorta. In each of these variations, though, the operation carries a fair bit of risk, is expensive, and can be logistically difficult, especially if operation must be pursued some distance from home. Here, a second opinion can be helpful to be certain about the diagnosis and the need for operation; provide clarity about how soon an operation should be performed; provide additional discussion about the various surgical options, with the advantages and disadvantages of each; afford an opportunity to re-address the amount of risk that comes with operation; and offer thoughts about the expected recovery timeline and return to exercise.

When there are several treatment options to choose between. After a diagnosis is established, the usual next step is to settle on a treatment. For many conditions, however, there can be several treatment options. Ordinarily, doctors like to share these possibilities with a patient and then decide together which treatment is best. This choice might depend not only on the medical specifics, but also the patient’s social, work, family, financial, cultural, or religious situation. But sometimes, even after discussion, it may not be easy to choose the best treatment. In this situation, a second opinion can sometimes be helpful to explain, from another doctor’s perspective, the treatment possibilities along with the advantages or disadvantages of each option. This doctor might well include additional or different possibilities or share the opinion that some of the previously considered possibilities may not be appropriate.

An example. One common arrhythmia problem in athletes is atrial fibrillation, or “Afib.” This is a problem that can be nagging or persistent over months or even years. Once an athlete patient has had this diagnosis established, there are often many options regarding treatment: lifestyle changes like losing weight, stopping tobacco or alcohol use, or moderating extreme exercise; medicines like aspirin, anticoagulants, or anti-arrhythmics; and procedural treatments such as arrhythmia ablation or left atrial occlusion. Moreover, a patient will find that his primary care provider (PCP) and perhaps even his cardiologist may not actually perform such ablation or left atrial occlusion procedures. In this situation, a second opinion might help to review the various treatment possibilities from another doctor’s perspective, and get another take on the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment possibilities.

When it’s mandatory. Because of various regulatory frameworks, it’s sometimes necessary to get a second opinion before a patient can receive a particular treatment. Regulations at the local hospital level, from insurance providers, or from the federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid may all come into play in this regard.

An example. For patients with severe, symptomatic narrowing of the aortic valve (aortic stenosis), we often recommend aortic valve replacement (AVR). In recent years, a new approach for AVR, trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), has become available for select patients. To satisfy requirements of the FDA and the Medicare program, patients must get opinions from two heart surgeons before they qualify for the TAVR procedure. In this situation, the second opinion is essentially mandatory.

When is a second opinion not helpful?

In an emergency situation. Second opinions are usually not logistically possible in an emergency situation. Here, patients must usually rely on the doctors that are tending to their emergency condition, even in the situations I’ve outlined above.
When the patient is already in the hospital. Once admitted to the hospital under the care of one or more doctors, it can be difficult to pursue a second opinion, at least in the common sense. If the condition or situation is not an emergency, sometimes it’s possible for partners of specialists to add their opinion, less formally, about a particular issue.
When two or more previous opinions are already similar. There is a diminishing return with multiple second opinions. When there is already a chorus of similar opinions, it’s likely the next opinion will also be similar. In general, it’s probably not wise to chase after the opinion you want. If you search long enough, you might find that opinion, but remember that there is usually value to consensus among the opinions you’ve received. Outlying opinions should be treated cautiously.

How to find a second opinion?

Ask your primary care provider (PCP). For patients who are fortunate to have a PCP, this may be the best source of a recommendation about how and where to seek a second opinion. Your PCP will know the local medical landscape. In many cases, he may have referred you to the specialist for your first opinion. But he will also know which doctor to suggest next, whether that’s another doctor in your community or one that’s farther away.
Ask your specialist. You can certainly ask the specialist who provided your first opinion. Some specialists will be more helpful than others when it comes to identifying a good choice for a second opinion. You may find that it’s easiest for your current specialist to suggest a partner who might also take a look at your situation.
Do some (online) research. There’s a lot of information online about specialists who you might visit for a second opinion. Perhaps there’s too much information. It can sometimes be challenging to sift through all of this information and make judgements about its quality. You may find that you will need to travel some distance to see a particular specialist. The danger here, though, is in not understanding the medical details sufficiently to select just the right doctor. And sadly, sometimes if you choose the wrong type of specialist, this may not become obvious until after you’ve invested in a visit. Another approach may be to select a large medical institution and have that institution help with finding just the right doctor to see you after they get some information from you and perhaps gather some medical records.
Word of mouth. At first, word of mouth may sound like a great way to find a doctor for a second opinion. Indeed, you may have friends or family that could suggest a doctor that they’ve seen and liked. The challenge here is that it can be difficult to find just the right doctor unless your family or friends have the exact same medical problem that you do.

Doctors get second opinions, too

Sometimes doctors obtain second opinions without their patients even knowing. This is just good practice. In this situation, the process may happen behind the scenes. Your doctor may share your particulars with a colleague to ask for help in settling on a diagnosis or settling on the best treatment. Your surgeon may ask a colleague to join him in the operating room to help decide what to do with an unexpected finding. Your pathologist may “send out” your biopsy specimen to get an additional opinion from a center of expertise. These sorts of second opinions are everyday occurrences.

When to change doctors

We should wrap up with talking about when to change doctors. So far we’ve been talking about getting additional, or second opinions. Most often, this is done with the intention of continuing to receive care from your first doctor. But what if you’d like to change doctors? There’s nothing wrong with wanting to receive your ongoing care from the doctor who gave your second opinion. That’s your decision and your doctors should understand making a change like that. I suggest that straightforward discussion with your doctors is the best way to make such a change.

Finally, let me mention two particular situations where you should consider finding a new doctor:

When you are concerned about honesty, transparency, or communication with your current doctor.
When you have reasonable concern about experience on the part of your doctor, clinic, or hospital.

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I’m fascinated by the medical tent at endurance sporting events. Maybe that’s not surprising. After all, I’m a doctor and an athlete.

I have mixed emotions about the medical tent, though. Maybe you do, too. Let me explain….

Dr. Laird and the Kona Medical Tent

I got to thinking about the medical tent this past month when I listened to a talk given by Dr. Robert Laird, the long-time (now retired) medical director for the Ironman World Championship race in Kona. He gave a talk at a sports medicine symposium held in conjunction with this summer’s Challenge Atlantic City events. He told the ~23-year history of medical support for the Ironman race, beginning with its first year in Kona in 1981. That year, Dr. Laird stood on the pier watching the swimmers, dressed in running gear, stethoscope around his neck, cap on his head….and he alone was the extent of the medical support.

Of course, today it’s much different. On race day, there is a 50- to 60-bed field hospital set up in a tented area across from the Kailua Pier. It’s arranged in pods of 6 patient beds and staffed with many physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and non-medical volunteers as well. On race day, it’s the 3rd largest “hospital” on the Big Island of Hawaii. And on race day, up to several hundred athletes among the nearly 2,000 participants in the race receive medical care there.

The medical support team also has a fleet of makeshift “ambulances”–rented white vans with a temporary red cross affixed to the side. Without these vehicles, the need to respond to athletes on the 112-mile bike course or 26.2-mile run course would overwhelm the resources of the local EMS system.

If you’re an athlete with medical needs on race day, the setup is awesome. In truth, the Ironman event as we know it today would be impossible to stage without this elaborate medical support.

My Own Medical Tent Memories

Thankfully, I’ve avoided the medical tent as a patient. I did take a break at a medical aid station along the run course at the 2012 Ironman New Zealand race when I was feeling poorly. But after a cool refreshment, some much needed shade, and a short break, I was able to continue along my way.

I’ve waited near the doors of the medical tent on a couple occasions, though, while my athlete friends were receiving treatment. I remember my buddy, George, losing 12 pounds during the Ironman New Zealand race in 2007 and needing rehydration. I also recall my friend, John Pendergrast, an ophthalmologist, needing treatment for a couple hours after finishing the Ironman South Africa race. Our small group of traveling partners waited anxiously to be sure that John was okay.

I volunteered once in a major medical tent–for the Ironman Florida race. I worked the 6 pm to midnight shift. My lasting memory will be of the athletes who arrived at the finish line and then collapsed. On a day with high temperatures in the gentle 70’s I was surprised at how many athletes arrived at the medical tent at the finish line severely hypothermic and dehydrated. It seemed that the athletes who were worst off were those who arrived after finishing the race in 10-11 hours or so. Perhaps the later arrivals had gone too slowly to get “messed up.” We treated a bunch of athletes that night.

I’ve enjoyed reading the accounts of others who’ve worked in the triathlon medical tent. Check out the report by professional triathlete and physician, Tamsin Lewis.

Marathon Medical Tents

Of course, the medical tent today isn’t confined to triathlon. There is elaborate medical safety planning for the major running races, too. There is often a medical tent at the finish line of the big city marathons and these are often staffed, at least in part, by volunteers.

I recently attended a lunchtime lecture given by one of my cardiology colleagues who had volunteered at the medical tent for the Boston Marathon. There’s a sports medicine symposium before the race and the attendees are offered the opportunity to volunteer in the medical tent. This gives physicians a chance to put into practice what they’ve just learned. Listening to his tale, I get the impression that virtually any medical problem can manifest during the marathon, but that dehydration and heat-related illnesses are the common medical ailments. He shared (and I’ve heard from others as well) that ice baths for rapid cooling of victims with severe heat-related illness probably make the difference for survival–that the EMS system and local hospital emergency rooms might not have the available resources to get athlete patients cooled so quickly. That’s an eye-opener.

Malpractice Insurance Issues

I’ve often wondered–and even worried–about the issue of malpractice insurance coverage for physician volunteers at medical tents. It’s one thing if you’re an emergency physician or sports medicine physician. But it’s another situation entirely if you’re volunteering in a capacity outside your specialty–and perhaps outside the state where you’re licensed. The issue would seem to be relevant not only to physicians but also to nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals as well.

It would be interesting to know if there are instances of malpractice lawsuits brought by athlete-patients against medical tent volunteers. I’m told by the folks at USA Triathlon (USAT) that they’re not (yet) aware of any instances.

In order to encourage volunteer participation by medical professionals at triathlon medical tents, USAT has organized a malpractice insurance coverage opportunity. This opportunity hasn’t received much publicity. For a very modest premium, any licensed medical professional can obtain insurance coverage in situations where their own policies wouldn’t be applicable. I bet this would help put some potential volunteers’ minds at ease and encourage their involvement.

The Mixed Emotions

So, back to the mixed emotions. No doubt, the medical tents at triathlon and major running events provide a useful and needed service. In some cases, it would be impossible to hold events without an organized medical safety net that includes an on-site medical tent. And no doubt, countless athletes have benefitted from care they’ve received by volunteers at these medical tents. So, in the sense of providing a safety net for participants, the medical tent is great.

But on the other hand, I have to wonder if the very existence of the medical tent and ready availability of volunteer medical care doesn’t encourage unsafe behavior on the part of athletes or event organizers. I also wonder how outsiders view this whole enterprise. Surely, if intravenous hydration is required by large numbers of participants just to complete an event, there must be something wrong–either in the venue, the weather conditions, or the preparation of the athletes. Yet I hear many athletes talk casually about how they’ll “just get an IV” after the race.

At any rate, this is all food for thought. I’m intrigued by the medical tent. I hope it’s there when I need it, staffed by capable healthcare professionals. I’ll probably volunteer again, too. But I’ll also have some nagging worries.

Writing on…

Getting a Second Opinion

Mixed Emotions About The Medical Tent