A change in your health means a change in your life. Receiving a new diagnosis, though, doesn’t mean that you have a final or definite direction in your health care. A second opinion can change your diagnosis or treatment plan, potentially offering new ways to move forward that align more closely with your goals.

If you’ve recently received a new diagnosis of a health condition, a virtual second opinion by The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic can help you find peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can for your health.

A Second Opinion Can Make a Difference

Going to a routine doctor’s appointment and receiving a life-changing diagnosis feels like a whirlwind.

But a diagnosis is just one provider’s opinion. After they review tests, imaging, labs, and any symptoms you might have, they conclude what they think is going on. They’ll also provide their professional recommendations on how to manage or treat the condition. A second opinion gives you the opportunity to have another provider take a new look at the same information. Their medical experience and specialty may change (or confirm) your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Whether you come away from a second opinion with new or confirmed recommendations, you can have more confidence in your path forward.

Challenging or Confirming Diagnoses

The first of the two major factors that can change when you seek a second opinion is your diagnosis. Medical conditions can be complex and sometimes difficult to pinpoint. A second opinion from a different doctor or specialist can bring new perspectives and insights into your condition, potentially leading to a revision of your initial diagnosis.

But even if the second opinion confirms the initial diagnosis, it can offer valuable information on potential treatment options that may have been overlooked. If you’re facing intensive or long-term treatment, knowing what your options are can give you the power to choose what will be the best fit for your future.

Treatment Plan Modifications

The second major factor that can change with a second opinion is your treatment plan. Medical care is not one-size-fits-all. You’ll need treatment that takes your condition, history, unique needs, and future goals into consideration. A second opinion can potentially offer alternative treatment options that are more urgent or may align better with your preferences or lifestyle. You might find that a second opinion suggests alternatives that are:

• Urgent – If a second opinion reveals a more urgent need for treatment, you’ll have the opportunity to address it sooner rather than later, which could save your life.
• Less invasive – If you need surgery, a second opinion might offer you options that are less invasive and have a quicker recovery time.
• Newer and advanced – Complex conditions like cancer may have new treatment options available. A second opinion can keep you up to date and offer access to leading-edge treatments.
• More affordable – Second opinions can also be helpful in finding more cost-effective treatment options, which can make a big difference if you are facing long-term or intensive care.

Getting a second opinion could also save your life.

A Second Opinion Saved This Man’s Life

When he turned 60, Dan Walden was in the best shape of his life—the result of hard work he’d been doing on his health improvement journey. But during one of his daily walks, he became short of breath and noticed a feeling in his chest that wasn’t quite right. Some tests and a trip to a local cardiologist left them both assuming the same: that Dan was dealing with the early stages of cardiovascular disease. But after catheterization revealed no blockages, their concerns grew.

Dan’s health rapidly declined in the following months. Test after test failed to provide any real answers until an MRI showed that his heart was thickened, potentially by a condition called “amyloidosis,” which is treated with aggressive chemotherapy. Left untreated, patients often die within nine to 12 months.

Dan got a virtual second opinion from The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic. Within a week and a half, it confirmed he had the rare condition AL amyloidosis. The second opinion put the pieces together that allowed him to get lifesaving chemotherapy right away.

Register for a Virtual Second Opinion from Leading Experts

You deserve to have confidence that you’re making the best choices for your health. That’s why we offer virtual second opinions from 3,500 expert specialists across more than 550 advanced subspecialties at Cleveland Clinic. No red tape, no travel—virtual access to some of the world’s leading medical experts who provide the answers you need when you need them. Register online to get started.