Receiving a diagnosis of a serious illness can be stressful and cause anxiety. Getting a second opinion from a top Harvard-affiliated specialist through PGH can help you by giving you the information to put your mind at ease. Have the confidence that your illness wasn't misdiagnosed and that you are following the right treatment plan.
Here are some answers to questions you may have about getting a Diagnosis Verification and Treatment Plan:
When should you get a DVTP?
- When you are questioning all of your options
- When you have a problem that has been difficult for your doctor to diagnose
- When there is no improvement seen in your current condition
- When diagnosed with a life-threatening disease
- When told a second surgery is recommended
- When experiencing multiple medical problems
- When after consulting with you doctor you still have a number of unanswered questions
- When you are told by the doctor that either nothing can be done to treat your condition or a certain treatment wouldn’t be right for your condition
- When your condition recurs following treatment
- When you feel something is “wrong” with the diagnosis or suggested treatment for your medical condition
Why should you get a DVTP?
- Critical illnesses are serious diseases that can worsen very quickly without proper treatment. For example, cancer that grows exponentially—if it is not diagnosed properly the first time, there is often no second chance.
- With constant new technologies and treatments, it is difficult for any one physician to be aware of all of the latest information.
- Doctors are only human—they can and DO make medical errors
- A gained knowledge of your situation
- An understanding of treatment options
- A peace of mind that you are making the right decision
- There is no need to travel to a physician to get a DVTP.
- Someone else may see or know something that the first doctor doesn’t
- It helps you weigh the pros and cons of your treatment options.
