J-Doctor 2nd Opinion

[L S]

Has anyone gotten a second opinion from a physician for a serious illness in Japan?

A J-friend is in the hospital and is being told he may loose his hearing to an infection. I recomended he get a 2nd opinion since it is such a serious matter, but he's very reluctant to do so (even though he wants to). He is afraid the hostpital/doctor will get offended and maybe not give him good care. Knowing how many Japanese view physicians this answer didn't surprise me but I thought the concept of getting a second opinion must becoming more common.

If you have some useful input I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Oh ya...if you know a kick-ass ENT (ears/nose/throat) clinic or hospital let me know.

[omae mona]

Has anyone gotten a second opinion from a physician for a serious illness in Japan?

A J-friend is in the hospital and is being told he may loose his hearing to an infection. I recomended he get a 2nd opinion since it is such a serious matter, but he's very reluctant to do so (even though he wants to). He is afraid the hostpital/doctor will get offended and maybe not give him good care. Knowing how many Japanese view physicians this answer didn't surprise me but I thought the concept of getting a second opinion must becoming more common.

If you have some useful input I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Oh ya...if you know a kick-ass ENT (ears/nose/throat) clinic or hospital let me know.

L S - sorry to hear about your friend. Like you, I think his attitude is commponplace here. The idea of getting a second opinion hasn't caught hold in this country from what I can tell. The doctor is regarded as God, infallible.

I was ready to tear my hair out with Mrs. Omae Mona when we had some concerns about Omae Mona Jr. (fortunately it was not anything serious) and she was terrified about what would happen if we went somewhere else for an opinion, for the same reasons as your friend. Took me *months* to convince her that we should make the appointment. We were both thrilled in the end, if for no other reason than we got much better information & convincing diagnosis from the better, 2nd doctor.

Somebody I know is married to an in-chou (hospital head) and she encouraged us getting the 2nd opinion. She relayed his opinion that doctors *really* don't care despite the public's belief that they do. In fact, she said, if it's one of the large city or national hospitals, the doctor's probably thrilled to have potentially one less patient to deal with, since they're overloaded most of the time.

Can your friend leave the hospital? If so, there's no reason for the original doctor to even know about the 2nd opinion. If your friend's admitted, though, and can't leave, then it might be tough.. I don't know whether or not doctors can visit patients in another hospital.

[Steve Bildermann]

Yes. All Japanese patients can ask for a 'second opinion' and it is the law, repeat it is the law that the hospital must provide a 'second opinion'. In Japanese this is called generally 'second opinion' - no kidding.

If your friend is misdiagnosed and later decides to seek compensation the request for 'second opinion' will stand him/her in great stead.

Remember if it's about health then 'hurting' the doctors feelings don't come into it.

[L S]

Thanks for the timely responses. I used your input to convince the family to take him to two doctors on Monday (I actually made them read your posts on-line!). Appreciate your help!

[dimwit]

To quote Dr. Dimwit (Mrs. Dimwit) I don't mind if they go to another doctor because than I don't have to take responsiblity if something goes wrong' The only doctor whose pride is likely to be hurt are the doctors working in national institutes and big prestigious hospitals. Good Luck