How to Get a Second Opinion Before Open Heart Surgery

Every doctor, just like every patient, will have different ideas, opinions and understanding of modern medical methods. This is why it's so important to know how to get a second opinion—not just before open heart surgery, but before any major procedure. It never hurts to have a greater understanding of a condition and its treatments, and a good decision about your health can make a very lasting difference. This article will explain how to get the perspective of a second professional.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Know Your Surgeon's Experience

1. Find out how many years your surgeon has been practicing.
2. Ask how many cardiac surgeries a year your surgeon does before you consider allowing him to perform open heart surgery on you.
3. Ask if he is the chief open heart surgery specialist in the department. If not, ask to consult with the specialist.

Seek a Second Opinion

4. Tell your doctor you want a second opinion. She can refer you to another doctor within the facility.
5. Call your insurance provider and ask for the name of a cardiac surgeon who practices nearby and who is not affiliated with the hospital or clinic where your doctor works if you want an opinion with a professional who is not associated with the doctor who gave you your initial opinion.
6. Use "My Consult" if you don't live near a surgeon who can give you a second opinion. "My Consult" is an online second opinion resource offered through the Cleveland Clinic, one of the country's top cardiac hospitals. See the Resources section below for a link.
7. Get a second opinion even if you are afraid it might hurt your doctors' feelings. Doctors themselves often seek second opinions on their prognoses. In medicine, it's perfectly acceptable.

Get to Know the Nation's Top Cardiac Resources

8. Read about cardiac disease treatment options on the Mayo Clinic's website. See the Resources section below for a link.
9. Be aware that the Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's leading hospitals, has a "Heart and Vascular Institute," and you can chat online with a nurse at this clinic-within-a-clinic. These doctors are open heart surgery experts.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to choose a surgeon who works in a very different environment than the doctor who gave you your first opinion. Doctors in research hospitals may be more knowledgeable about cutting-edge treatments, while physicians in private practice may have more insight to offer on recovery times and quality-of-life issues.