Patient-initiated second opinions led to recommended changes in diagnosis or treatment, according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine.
Here are five key points:
1. Researchers independently examined data collected from Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2012 from a second-opinion program called Best Doctors, Inc., that allows employee-beneficiaries to request free second opinions.
2. Around 6,791 patient-initiated second opinions were completed across a number of medical specialties.
3. Approximately 41.3 percent of patients primarily sought second opinions for help choosing treatment options and 34.8 percent for diagnostic concerns.
4. Second opinions resulted in
• Changes in diagnosis in 14.8 percent of the cases
• Changes in treatment in 37.4 percent of the cases
• Changes in either diagnosis or treatment in 41.5 percent of the cases
• Changes in both in around 10.6 percent of the cases
5. Clinical impact was estimated as moderate/major in 20.9 percent of cases for diagnosis and 30.7 percent of cases for treatment.