Taking expert opinion is an essential component of decision making. At times though, even after an expert opinion, one may not get satisfactory information to make a decision. There can be many reasons for that. While lack of expertise, trust or empathy are valid reasons for being critical of the professional opinion, at times our own biases or denial prevents us to believe in the initial diagnosis or treatment options. For the discussion below, lets label the original professional opinion as 'Physician A' and second opinion as 'Physician B'. Why to go for a second opinion? Simple answer is "when you are still indecisive after a complete initial professional opinion." There are certain elements to it. You may be satisfied with the decision Physician A made, but want to cross check the opinion so provided with Physician B. This is an absolutely valid reason to pause and seek second opinion. If it hurts physician A's feelings, then you should definitely seek second opinion. Other valid reasons can be: if you believe physician A is going out of his professional boundaries (for example, a cardiologist opining about a bone fracture); if you believe physician A is compromised in any sense (for example, financial incentive for offering a surgery, a physician who is in obvious foul mood that day-they are all humans after all etc.); if the treatment option given is undesirable and you are not provided with alternatives. What constitutes a second opinion? For an opinion to be called 'expert and professional' certain basic rules should be followed. Physician B should have access to be all the information that Physician A had. So, lets say, a cardiologist offers angioplasty to a patient after doing an angiography. Just showing the CD to a different cardiologist and seeking his/her opinion doesn't constitute a 'professional' second opinion because Physician B in this case doesn't have access to patient's other clinical information. Same angiographic findings may call for different treatment options in different patients. This has nothing to do with physician B's competence or intent. Its simply because physician B doesn't have all the required information to come to a valid conclusion that physician A has. Continuing on the same thought above, we often value test results more than clinical judgement that a doctor develops upon seeing a patient physically. As a cardiologist, I am often asked this question: my uncle has 80% blockage and doctor has advised a stent. What should I do? My answer invariably becomes "I don't know". As a doctor, I know what 80% blockage means, but I don't know what 80% blockage means in someone's uncle unless I know that person's rest of medical history and current condition. Clinical insight that a doctor gathers upon seeing and talking to a patient can not be substituted by any test. Physician B should be of same expertise as physician A. Taking opinion of a neurologist (because you know him/her) in matters of, lets say, knee transplant can't be constituted professional. In such cases asking this question to yourself may help you: Would I have taken a neurologist's professional advice on orthopedic matters in the first place, or would I let a neurologist operate on my knee? If a physician can't give you 'first' opinion, he/she shouldn't be giving you a 'second' opinion. When to seek a second opinion? Timing of second opinion matters. I strongly urge you not to seek second opinion once treatment or surgery has been done already (unless you are seeking a legal recourse). If physician B tells you that the surgery you underwent was not needed, you get hurt twice. Once by the unnecessary surgery, and now your disturbed psychological state that will spend rest of the life thinking about that unnecessary procedure. And mind you, just because physician B said something different than physician A, this doesn't imply physician B is correct. Now you will need to seek further (third, fourth) opinion as a tie breaker. Before deciding to go for a second opinion, get a good insight on the active condition. Certain decisions are time sensitive like when someone is having a heart attack, stroke (paralysis), cardiac arrest (heart stopped working), major accident, child birth, eye injury, allergy reaction, critical values too low (like blood sugar, oxygen, blood pressure, heart rate etc.) or too high (blood pressure, heart rate etc.). In such situations, delaying a treatment for minutes to hours (even when you doubt the expertise or intent) can have devastating consequences. If you by any chance believe that a doctor will force you to make a decision that very moment if clinical condition is time sensitive, you are mistaken. Doctors adapt to the current day and age, which is to provide all the necessary information, and wait for patient/family's decision. If you ask for more time, you will get it. I hope you don't encounter such situations, but in case you do, best doctor for you is the one who is available at that time and willing to help. Not seeking second opinion, on the other hand, doesn't mean blindly following whatever treating doctor says at that time. You have right to ask all relevant questions that made the doctor reach his/her conclusion. If you get yourself involved in understanding the issue at hand and being a part of decision making, you will be able to resolve majority of uncertainties. Situations which are not time sensitive, and situations which will effect you long term certainly deserves a second opinion. For instance, when someone diagnoses you with diabetes or hypertension (both diseases require life long treatment in some form). Similarly, need for cardiac bypass surgery or stenting (in non-urgent situations), heart valve replacements, knee/hip replacements, non-urgent surgery of any kind, cancer treatment and many others. How to seek a second opinion? As I described above, discussing the case with a doctor over the phone, or online, or just showing some reports is not the right way to seek second opinion. If you seek an expert professional advice, you should do it professionally. This means, taking an appointment with the doctor, meeting the doctor at designated time/place, with the patient, and all relevant medical records, films, tests, medications etc. If you use shortcuts, you are destined to get mediocre advice even if the physician is best in class. I hope I was able to add some value to the time you spent reading this article. I know I haven't addressed all your queries. Please feel free to email me or write to me on this website any additional queries you may have and I will be happy to help. 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