And some people are simply too trusting of their physicians, experts believe. But getting another viewpoint can have a greater impact on health and healing than many patients realize. In the most severe cases, it can mean the difference between life and death. That's because doctors don't always agree, for instance, on the best way to treat prostate cancer or whether surgery should be performed to ease lower back pain. Sometimes, the treatments patients undergo have more to do with the physician's preference for a procedure or drug than what might be best for the patient.
Doctors disagree amongst themselves a whole lot more than the general public realizes.
Most public health experts say additional opinions are not needed for many ailments. Generally, if a person has a serious or life-threatening disease, then treatment options should be discussed with a number of physicians. And second opinions are recommended when a diagnosis is not clear. Patients encouraged to undergo risky, experimental or toxic therapies should also discuss their options with a second physician. You need to be an advocate for yourself.