Signs you should seek a second medical opinion

Do you have a medical issue that persists or worsens without resolution, even after seeing your doctor? According to data published by the Annals of Internal Medicine, the average primary care visit lasts just 15 minutes, in which just eight minutes is spent in conversation between doctor and patient. 

With such limited visits, the doctor may fail to diagnose cancer and other serious diseases. These key signs indicate that you should seek another medical opinion. 

You feel ignored 

If your doctor does not listen to your health concerns, he or she may miss important information that could contribute to diagnosis or treatment. When he or she always cuts visits short and does not sufficiently answer your questions, it may be time to seek advice from a new health care provider. 

You have not received a diagnosis 

Your symptoms have persisted despite your best efforts to seek medical care, and your doctor has not provided information about possible conditions that could be causing your issues. When your care provider does not help you get to the bottom of an illness with tests or referral to a specialist, he or she may not have the experience to make a diagnosis. 

Your diagnosis seems wrong 

You finally have a diagnosis, but the symptoms are not going away and your research about the condition does not seem to mesh with your experiences. Your doctor has only recommended one treatment, and it has not yet been effective. Whatever the reason, do not ignore your gut feeling about a wrong diagnosis. 

Your doctor recommends surgery or another risky treatment 

When you are facing a surgical procedure, chemotherapy or any other treatment with potentially life-altering side effects, seek a second opinion before proceeding. You always have the option to take your time to decide if a specific treatment is right for you. 

As a patient, you need to advocate for your own interests when seeking medical care. If you do not trust that a doctor has your best interests in mind, find a different care provider.