Many patients demand a second medical opinion

Insured persons are entitled to a free second medical opinion

17/10/2014

Many patients are overwhelmed with the situation, especially after a serious diagnosis such as cancer or heart disease. A second medical opinion can then be very helpful. A study by Asklepios Kliniken Hamburg and the Institute for Management and Economic Research has shown that every second respondent of 1,000 study participants has already obtained at least once a two-part opinion. However, many Germans do not know that they have a right to the opinion of a second doctor. The proposed pension provision law is intended to oblige physicians to inform their patients about the possibility of a second opinion.

Medical second opinion can save unnecessary surgery
The media regularly reports that spine, knee and hip surgery are often performed without any medical benefit. In a report from July 2014, experts from the University of Hamburg and the Technical University of Berlin came to the conclusion that the number of treatments in clinics has increased significantly, with no significant increase in the number of inhabitants. Even with the aging population can not explain the significant increase, according to the opinion. However, the authors were unable to clarify clearly whether the increased interventions are actually necessary or whether the clinics perform them primarily for financial reasons. The Central Association of Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) has been accusing the clinics for some time financial interests, while the German Hospital Association (DKG) explains the increasing number of treatments with an increasing burden on people. The authors of the report demand a binding second medical opinion in order to be able to largely exclude financial interests in costly operations.

Young people often do not know their right to a second medical opinion
A study by Asklepios Kliniken Hamburg and the Institute for Management and Economic Research shows that many Germans already take advantage of the offer of a second medical opinion. Of the 1,000 respondents, half have already used a second opinion. More than 90 percent of respondents who have not yet obtained a second medical opinion would do so or consider doing so in the future.

Especially in severe diseases such as heart disease, cancer or neurological diseases, the respondents wanted a second assessment. According to the study, many Germans do not know that they have a right to a free second opinion. For example, 40 percent of the 18-24 year olds are not informed. (Ag)