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News & Events

Class Wellness Tip #1 for 2026: 2nd Opinions

Posted: 1/6/2026

The Power of a Pause: When to Get a Second Medical Opinion and How to Do It

We compare options when we shop for everything from laptops to lawnmowers, skimming reviews and weighing our choices. Yet when a doctor recommends a surgery that will change our bodies forever, many of us say “yes” on the spot. We treat the most consequential choices of our lives with less scrutiny than a $150 purchase on Amazon.

Medicine isn’t math. Two specialists can read the same results and see different stories, shaped by training and philosophy. A cardiologist may lean toward a stent and a functional doctor might start with diet and medication. Both can be reasonable, but neither is absolute.

A second opinion can spare an unnecessary procedure or confirm the right one. Yet many patients hesitate, unsure how to ask or whether it will offend their doctor. Learning when to pause and seek another view may be one of the most valuable skills in modern medicine.

Why 2nd Opinions Matter More Than Ever…Click HERE to read more.

The Class of ’66 has posted this article regarding the utility of obtaining second medical opinions, because (1) the cited numbers/data lend merit to considering doing so under certain circumstances and (2) all of us “rate” VA medical services but not all have used that vehicle. Signing up for VA health care may be a convenient and low cost way of obtaining that second opinion. The article includes links to other recent articles related to helping us have a better understanding of the medical process (e.g., blood tests and what they mean).

For more information curated for Classmates, Wives and Widows, Click HERE for the Class Wellness Portal addressing:


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