ArticleBMC health services research2020
Results of a patient-oriented second opinion program in Germany shows a high discrepancy between initial therapy recommendation and second opinion.
Article in BMC health services research, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Diagnostic discrepancies and clinical value of second medical opinions (SMO) for endometriosis: a nationwide study analysis.BMC women's health · 2025Observational
- "Diagnostic pathways in femoroacetabular impingement, patterns of clinical visits, and MRI utilization before hip arthroscopy in Türkiye".Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Trends and disparities in the surgical management of spinal fractures in Sweden during 2008-2023.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Second opinion and time to knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study of 142 patients.BMJ open · 2023Article
- [Second opinion on spine surgery : Indication rarely confirmed and conservative treatment options are worthwhile].Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) · 2023Article
- Second opinions for spinal surgery: a scoping review.BMC health services research · 2022Article
- Predictive factors of diagnostic and therapeutic divergence in a nationwide cohort of patients seeking second medical opinion.BMC health services research · 2021Observational
- Effects of a medical second opinion programme on patients' decision for or against knee arthroplasty and their satisfaction with the programme.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2021Article
- Second opinion in spine surgery: A scoping review.Surgical neurology international · 2021Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAs of 2015, second opinions are legally implemented in Germany. However, empirical results from German second opinion programs are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine several aspects within a population of a German second opinion program.
methodsStudy population consisted of patients who sought a second opinion in the period from August 2011 to December 2016. Multivariate logistic regression and ANOVA were used to examine differences in patient characteristics, differentiated by agreement of initial therapy recommendation and second opinion. Follow-up points for patient satisfaction and HRQoL were defined at 1, 3 and 6 months after obtaining the second opinion.
resultsTotal number of patients who sought a second opinion was 1414. Most common indications concerned the knee (37.3%), spine (27.3%), hip (11.5%) and shoulder (10.1%). The independent specialists did not confirm the initial therapy recommendations in two out of three cases. The type of indication influenced the agreement between initial therapy recommendation and the second opinion significantly (p = 0.035). The second opinion and the offered service was highly valued by the patients (89%).
conclusionsThe second opinion offers patients the possibility to confirm a medical indication independently and support patients in their decision making process. Reasons for the large discrepancy between initial therapy recommendation and second opinion should be addressed in future research.
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