|  The guidelines in determining the importance of getting a second medical opinion for health care issues from a physician or other health care professional are the comfort level with the initial diagnosis given, overall confidence with the initial health care provider, the satisfactory progress of the medical treatment in general to date, and, where applicable, the requirements of the health insurance policy, which the client or patient currently has. Quality health care for the whole person involves both the mental and physical well being of the patient. It is common knowledge that physical conditions can have a negative effect on the mental aspects of the patient and that emotional stress can directly and indirectly effect the physical body and overall health of the individual. Therefore it is extremely important for the patient or client to have a good and confident relationship with their primary health care professional. If for any reason the patient has not been able to establish this relationship with their doctor, a second opinion is more than appropriate to obtain.
Very often a patient or client feels insecure about asking for an opinion from another medical professional however, especially if the person who is providing the medical or counseling services is a physician. In Western Culture a physician or doctor has traditionally been viewed in awe as if they were supernatural. Therefore the general public has been trained to not question their medical care. They often worry about when it is appropriate to ask for a 2nd outlook or whether they even have a right to a second consultation. They also worry about whether they will offend the physician. If the health care provider is a true professional they will understand and appreciate your taking an active interest in your own well being. A physician or doctor who does not realize that they cannot possibly be an expert in every subspecialty of medicine can be a danger to a persons' health. If the doctor takes a request for a consult personally and reacts poorly then your request for another opinion is probably more than justified.
Luckily one trend in health care is the increasing mutual working relationship between a patient and a physician. In the last couple of decades it is become increasingly common and it is now looked at as much more appropriate for a patient to be involved in their own health care decisions. Because of this it is now much more common to ask for additional medical information from the primary care doctor and/or to request a second consultation on any medical concern.
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