A second opinion is always a good idea when your life or quality of life is at stake. Medical conditions sometimes occur that your primary care physician can’t treat. You may need a specialist, whom you’ve never met, for a second medical opinion. Putting your life into the hands of a stranger deserves some research.

When should you seek a second opinion?
Because of the increase in medical knowledge and new treatments, it is difficult for any one physician to be aware of all the latest information. One result is patients and their physicians together are seeking second opinions so better and more informed decisions can be made. For minor medical issues-a cold, flu bug, a scratch or scrape, allergies, etc you probably won’t need a second opinion.

However, there are certain times when a second opinion is absolutely essential. So when is the best time to get a second medical opinion?
• Having major surgery
• Questioning whether surgery is the only option
• Unhappy that your regular doctor can’t diagnose your problem
• Having trouble talking with your current doctor(s)
• Not seeing improvement in your medical condition
• Diagnosed with a life-threatening disease such as cancer, heart disease or brain tumor
• Told a second surgery is recommended
• Having multiple medical problems
Getting a good second opinion
some physicians disagree about whether you should get a “blind” second opinion (when medical records, test results and first physician’s opinion are not

made available to the second doctor) or if this information should be shared with the second opinion doctor.
Questions to ask during a second opinion appointment
• Is there any chance the medical problem could have a different diagnosis?
• Are there any alternative forms of treatment available?
• What are the likely results if you wait or don’t have the treatment?
• What are the risks associated with the treatment(s)?
• Are there any side effects or residual effects from each treatment option?
• How is the treatment plan expected to improve your health or quality of life?
• How long is the recovery period?
How can I get another medical opinion?
• Your doctors may refer you to other doctors or specialists.
• Ask friends or relatives who’ve been treated for the same condition.
• Ask for a list of approved doctors from your medical insurance company or your employer’s health plan administrator.
• Call your local medical society.
• Contact a hospital or medical school you’re comfortable with and ask them to refer you to a specialist for a second medical opinion.
• Verify the doctor’s credentials through your state’s medical board once you’ve decided who you’ll see for a second medical opinion.

Urgent medical care centers are available to you if you have an urgent medical need at a time when your family physician is not available. This could be due to holidays, emergencies after hours, or heavy scheduling. Urgent care centers are also available for patients who don’t have a physician or don’t like waiting in for long periods of time at the emergency room.

Treatments Available in Urgent Medical Care Centers

There are many health conditions or needs that can be treated at an urgent medical care center. Urgent care centers offer labs on-site to patients who require blood work to determine their illness and the treatment they will need. On-site x-ray services are available to patients who are experiencing back pain, joint pain, or abdominal pain. X-ray service is also available for treatment of sports injuries such as sprains and fractures.

Service is provided for patients with cuts requiring suturing at urgent medical centers. Less severe illnesses, such as a persistent sore throat, ear or eye infections, cold and flu symptoms, skin rashes, urinary tract infections, and sinus problems can all be treated by an urgent care physician. Patients who have been diagnosed with hypertension can also receive treatment at the facility.

Exams and Screening

Different types of physical exams such as annual exams and Department of Transportation (DOT) exams for truck driving are also provided at urgent care centers. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening is also available for both men and women. Cholesterol screening and diabetes testing is also offered by urgent medical care centers. Rapid diagnosis, which helps to determine the cause of the illness faster, is offered by many centers as well. This will help in treating the illness without delay.

About Urgent Care Centers

Urgent medical care centers are open seven days a week with convenient hours from morning to night for patients seeking emergency medical needs. Medical treatment is provided for patients of all ages, and since the centers are walk-in, appointments are not needed. Conveniently, most major insurance plans are accepted. Physicians at the medical centers are board certified in emergency medicine and usually provide all patients with personal attention and excellent care.

The Academy was founded in 1997, developed from a growing need for those physicians who provide such care to provide stewardship for the continued growth of this specialty. The American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM) is a national organization which represents thousands of physicians who practice Urgent Care Medicine in various clinical settings throughout the United States. The AAUCM is comprised of physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners actively engaged in the field of Urgent Care Medicine. The purpose of the AAUCM is to contribute to the field of Urgent Care Medicine in the areas of professional growth, scientific and medical research, and medical education, all to improve the overall quality of medical care.