Second Opinions and Sharing Records With Your Doctor

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have chest pain, stroke signs, trouble breathing or a severe allergic reaction, call 911 in the US. Do not wait for a second opinion when symptoms are urgent.

Why a second opinion is a normal part of care

A second opinion means another doctor gives their view on your diagnosis or treatment. [1] People ask for one to confirm a diagnosis, to find out whether other treatment options exist, or because they would prefer to discuss their care with a different doctor. [1] The Cancer Research UK page we read says asking is a normal part of healthcare and should not affect the care you get. [1] It also says doctors often ask colleagues about complex cases. [1] That page describes the UK, where it says doctors must respect your right to seek a second opinion, though there is no legal right to one. [1] Rules in other countries and US states and insurance plans differ, and we did not read a US source on them.

A second opinion can run both ways. You can ask a medical doctor to review a plan from a naturopathic or integrative practitioner, and you can ask an integrative practitioner about a conventional plan. The same rules apply: ask what each person is recommending, why, and what the evidence is.

Possible downsides to plan for

The same source lists disadvantages: a possible delay in starting treatment, travel that may be hard, and confusion if the second opinion differs from the first. [1] It advises discussing how long any delay is likely to be and whether a delay would be harmful. [1] If possible, it suggests keeping tests or treatments already booked so that you can avoid delays if you continue with the first doctor. [1]

This matters most for serious conditions. For cancer, NCCIH says not to use unproven products or practices to replace or delay medical treatment. [2] A published observational study of people with curable cancers found a higher risk of death among those who chose alternative medicine alone than among those who received conventional treatment. [3]

Before a second-opinion appointment

The Cancer Research UK page suggests: [1]

• Think about what you want to get out of the appointment.
• Note your symptoms and any treatment you have already had.
• Write down your questions.
• Ask someone to come with you.
• Take the relevant medical information you have.

It adds that your current doctor or specialist should send the new doctor information such as previous treatments, test and scan results, and the medicines or treatments you are having. [1] That describes UK practice; elsewhere, ask the office how records are released.

Sharing records between your doctor and an integrative practitioner

NCCIH advises telling all your health care providers about the complementary approaches you use and about all practitioners treating you, and finding out whether a practitioner will work with your conventional providers. [4] In practice that means:

• Ask each office what it will send to the other, and sign any release forms yourself.
• Give each office a list of every medicine and supplement you take.
• Ask for copies of lab and imaging reports and bring them to every visit.
• Ask the practitioner to explain any specialty test result in writing and to say how it differs from standard tests.

Details on medication lists are on medication and supplement review. On coordination, see referrals and coordination with primary care and coordinating complementary and medical care.

Keep one personal health record

MedlinePlus explains that charts at doctors' offices and hospitals are your medical records, on paper or electronic, and that it is a good idea to keep your own personal health record. [5] It suggests including dates and results of tests and screenings, major illnesses and surgeries, a list of your medicines and supplements with dosages and how long you have taken them, any allergies, chronic diseases, and family history. [5] MedlinePlus points to the US Department of Health and Human Services page on HIPAA for individuals as a starting place on privacy. [5] We could not read that page (the server refused access), so we do not summarize your legal rights to records here. Ask each office for its process, and if a request is refused, ask which rule applies.