“Maybe you should get a second opinion.” That's what people often hear after receiving a medical diagnosis for a potentially life-threatening condition. But how many people actually take that advice? A 2010 Gallup Poll found that 70% of Americans had faith in their physician's diagnosis and didn't see the need for a second opinion. That percentage is up from 64% in a 2002 Gallup Poll.
Patients' confidence in their doctors is always a good thing, but the Gallup results raises concern. More than a third of medical diagnoses are misdiagnoses, according to Michael Hough, executive vice president at Advance Medical, a firm specializing in expert medical opinions.
