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Tomaino Arm Care Network

Dr. Tomaino's Blog

Close the loop: make a 2nd (or 3rd ) opinion valuable

December 24th, 2008
Getting another opinion is valuable--no question. It may confirm the 1st, offer a different perspective besides, or even completely disagree with your first.

However--remember that "opinion" is not necessarily "fact" or based on "evidence-based" medicine. Be wary of using a "different" opinion to "justify" your getting the treatment that you prefer, or think is best---evn though the most evidence-based opinion may arguably support what your 1st opinion suggested.

Most importantly----"Close the loop". Circle back to the 1st opinion, if different, and try to reconcile the different perspectives. Is it opinion, inexperience, conservatism, training, judgement or fact?

Talk to your Doctor, and feel informed and empowered. Don't just assume that the 2nd or 3rd opinion are best.

Replies

Joseph Socie

What you stated is my exact reasoning to come get a second opinion from you.

December 30th, 2008 @ 11:00 pm
Linda Rumbaugh

TWICE I HAVE SOUGHT A SECOND OPINION FROM YOU, DR. TOMAINO. THE FIRST TIME WAS BECAUSE I HADN'T YET HEARD OF YOU. BUT WHEN ANOTHER "HAND SPECIALIST" WASN'T SURE IF SURGERY WOULD MAKE MY WRIST PAIN BETTER OR WORSE, I KNEW IT WAS TIME TO SEEK HELP FROM THE BEST HAND SPECIALIST IN THE COUNTRY
~YOU! AFTER ONE LOOK AT MY X-RAYS, YOU KNEW EXACTLY WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO RELIEVE THE EXCRUCIATING PAIN. A MERE 2 WKS. AFTER YOU REMOVED PART OF THE ULNAR BONE, MY WRIST HURT MUCH LESS THAN BEFORE SURGERY, AND IT ONLY IMPROVED FROM THERE. BECAUSE OF YOUR EXPERTISE AND SKILL, IT'S BEEN PAIN FREE FOR OVER 7 YEARS. AFTER 2 VISITS TO "LOCAL" HAND SPECIALISTS WHO PROVIDED NO RELIEF (OR HOPE THEREOF) FOR MY EXTREMELY PAINFUL ARTHRITIC THUMBS, I KNEW THAT ONCE AGAIN I WOULD NEED TO SEEK THE SERVICES OF THE ABSOLUTE BEST HAND SPECIALIST I COULD FIND ~ YOU, DR. TOMAINO. THIS TIME WE HAD TO DRIVE 283 MILES FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND SKILL. IT'S ONLY BEEN A WEEK SINCE YOU OPERATED ON MY THUMB, AND AGAIN, THE PAIN IN MY RIGHT THUMB IS ALREADY MUCH LESS THAN IT WAS PRIOR TO SURGERY.

DR. TOMAINO, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE, SKILL, DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM, KINDNESS, CONSIDERATION, AND CARING. YOU ARE NOT ONLY A SPECIALIST; YOU ARE TRULY A SPECIAL DOCTOR.

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, IF YOUR OPINION IS THE FIRST ONE SOUGHT, NO SECOND OR THIRD OPINION IS NEEDED. HOWEVER, IF ANY OTHER DR.'S OPINION IS FIRST OR SECOND, THE PATIENT NEEDS TO KEEP SEEKING OPINIONS UNTIL HE ARRIVES IN YOUR OFFICE!!!!

MERE WORDS ARE INADEQUATE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR MY HUSBAND AND ME.
WE CONSIDER YOU, DR. TOMAINO, AS ONE OF THE PRECIOUS BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES.
Linda & Dave Rumbaugh

March 4th, 2009 @ 3:28 am
Dr. Tomaino

Linda,
I am so touched by your confidence in me, and am deeply appreciative of your comments. Having recently celebrated my son's 11th Birthday reminds me of when he was born in Piitsburgh----and how fortunate I am to have had the privilege of treating not only you, during the early years of my career, but many other wonderful people from Western Pa!!

March 11th, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

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