Seeking a Second Opinion in Pediatric Oncology

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify second opinion consultations by physicians and to determine patient and family factors that appeared to contribute to a second opinion being sought. Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive parents of children with cancer recently treated in our Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology were interviewed by telephone. The questionnaire included epidemiological data, details about the disease, timing of the second opinion consultation, reasons for seeking a second opinion, and the outcome of the consultation. Results: Thirty-seven (24.7%) parents sought a second opinion. Advice was sought from other physicians in the hospital or at other clinics. There was a correlation to a higher socioeconomic status (P = .003) and to the number of educational years (P = .001). Most of the parents sought a second opinion because they wanted confirmation about the treatment protocol and the professional level of the hematologist oncologist/surgeon and the institution. Conclusions: Second opinion consultations were not uncommon and were mainly secondary to the desire for reassurance. Pediatric oncologists should ensure that patients and their families feel comfortable requesting a second opinion consultation.