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Medicine vocabulary · Patient Communication

Second opinion

Meaning in medicine, with examples

nounCommon term

In medicine, second opinion means: A review of a diagnosis or treatment plan by another doctor, usually requested by a patient before an important decision.

In Turkish: ikinci görüş

How it is used

Patients ask for, want or get a second opinion, often before major surgery or cancer treatment. Good doctors respond calmly and help to arrange it. Colleagues also ask each other for a second opinion on an X-ray or an ECG.

Example sentences

  1. Before agreeing to the operation, she asked for a second opinion.

  2. Could you give me a second opinion on this ECG? I'm not sure about the ST segments.

Common collocations

  • ask for a second opinion
  • get a second opinion
  • seek a second opinion
  • offer a second opinion
  • specialistA doctor who has trained for several more years in one area of medicine, such as cardiology, neurology or orthopaedics.
  • informed consentA patient's agreement to a treatment or procedure, given after the doctor has explained what it involves, its benefits, its risks and the alternatives.
  • referralThe act of sending a patient to another doctor, specialist team or service for an opinion, tests or treatment; also the letter or request that does this.
  • consultantIn the UK and some other countries, a senior hospital doctor who has finished specialist training and has final responsibility for a team's patients.

More terms: Patient Communication

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.