Does it violate a pain management contract if you.. get a second opinion?

[Violenza666]

Basically is it wrong to get a second opinion about your conditions. No medication no nothing just talking with another dr about your "diagnosis"? I don't plan to tell my dr I am getting a second opinion because I don't want her to think that I think she's an idiot.. but she threw out some fucked up diagnosis and was uber calm about it. So I am just wondering would this violate any kind of pain management contract?

 

[JamtasticX]

Um, pain management contact doesn't sound like something a doctor has, seems inherintly contradictory with Hippocratic oath.

Your Dr probably wouldn't find out, so don't see too much of a problem. Even if it doesn't violate it, I wouldn't tell the Dr, because sometimes they can be temperamental about you questioning them. If you've got a doubt though, and can afford another opinion I would do so.

 

[avcpl]

how would your doctor even know unless you told, due to doctor/patient confidentiality?

(but if a prescription was filled then yes, I think she would know).

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Since you're not asking or seeking more drugs I don't think it would violate your contract. I had to go see a urologist b/c of kidney stones and he even gave me opiates, but it still didn't violate my contract b/c I reported it back to my PCP (primary care physician). Considering what we talked about, I think it's a great idea to get a second opinion.

 

[John_Burrows]

Exactly what "contract" would you be violating anyway?

Getting a second opinion - or just more advice - from multiple doctors is always a great idea. Docs are people too, they don't all learn from the same CD-ROM programmed into their heads so each one has their own opinions and views on what's best for patients.

My GP tells me opiates are safe and if I needed to take them every day for the rest of my life I shouldn't worry about it.

But when I went for a second opinion prior to my back surgery, a neurologist saw that I had been taking dilaudid for six months and I swear I thought he was going to have a cow. He went on and on about how potent that stuff is and no one should be on it for that long, it's dangerous, etc.

So in a situation like that, sometimes a THIRD opinion is needed for a tie breaker

However, in my case, after careful consideration, I decided the doctor who thought opiates were harmless and had his prescription pad out was the winner.

:-D