Phenomenological study of seeking a second medical opinion

Document Type : Research Article

Author

MD, PhD in Sociology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

A second medical opinion is a reevaluation of the diagnosis or treatment provided by a doctor, carried out by a second doctor in the same medical field. Although a second opinion may provide the patient with benefits, it also suggests the inefficiency of modern medicine and the problems within the health system. Additionally, it may result in patient confusion and the squandering of resources. The study aims to identify, based on the experiences of patients who have sought a second opinion, the phenomenon of of “second medical opinion” and the factors that influence it.
The data collected from interviews with 40 individuals who had obtained a second opinion for an illness were used in this phenomenological study.
Six factors influence the decision to seek a second medical opinion: the nature of the disease, the characteristics of medical knowledge and practice, the doctor-patient relationship, patient autonomy, structural factors (commercial medicine and commodification of health, differences in the level of development, lack of referral system and health insurances), and the guidance of the first doctor.
The issue of seeking a second medical opinion in Iran has been overlooked thus far. In the absence of any official guidance and protocol, patients seek a second medical opinion based on their perceptions and resources. The planning and administration of the second medical opinion can assist in the prevention of overuse of health resources and facilities, the reduction of patient confusion, and the reduction of treatment costs.

Keywords

References

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