By Cindy Asbjornsen, DO, FACPh
econd opinions perform a valuable function in the fi eld of med- icine. They can help eliminate medical errors and contribute to better patient care. In the fi eld of vein health, second opinions are an essential part of effective diagnosis and treatment, and they can assist patients in taking control of their own health.
Patients often choose not to seek a second opinion for fear of offending their doctor. However, seeking a second opinion is an acceptable and encouraged practice, and most doctors support their patients in this effort.
Why a second opinion for veins? Vein or venous disease is one of the most common chronic con- ditions in the U.S. The development of new, non-invasive technolo- gies has led to more and more people seeking treatment and being treated for their symptoms.
Second opinions fulfi ll an important role in the effective man-
agement of venous disease in light of the growing accessibility of these new therapies. These are just some of the most common rea- sons related to vein care and venous disease:
• Patients may receive recommendations of surgical procedures or “vein stripping” to treat vein conditions and eliminate varicose veins. These once viable procedures have been replaced by new, non-invasive procedures. If a doctor has not provided a patient with information about non-surgical options, including sclero- therapy and EVLA, patients should consider seeking a second opinion.
• It is often important to get a second opinion to ensure recommen- dation of the best treatment option for the individual. Treatment for venous conditions can include ultrasound-guided sclerother- apy, light-assisted sclerotherapy and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), for example. The type of treatment depends on vein size and the source of insuffi ciency, among other factors.
6 Essential Living Maine ~ April 2015 Because of the growing accessibility of laser treatment in treat-
ing venous symptoms, some doctors may only provide laser treat- ments and not other procedures. In addition, doctors who perform laser procedures may not always have extensive clinical training and experience in performing laser procedures or an understanding of the physics of lasers. Seeking a second opinion from a skilled, clinically-trained phlebologist is highly recommended when laser procedures are involved.
Patients should always be certain they have been provided with all the necessary information about their diagnosis. Any recom- mended procedure should be fully and openly explained to the patient’s satisfaction. If patients are ever confused about a diagno- sis, if they don’t understand a vein treatment procedure, or if they feel uneasy about the level of communication they are experiencing with their doctor, they should consider seeking a second opinion.
Seeking a Second Opinion S
• Patients should seek a second opinion if they feel their doctor has not presented all available options for managing their symp- toms. In addition to today’s new treatments, there is a wealth of conservative treatments including compression therapy, which can serve as excellent options for patients.
• Treating visible veins without proper diagnosis of the source of venous insuffi ciency can be both ineffective and unsafe. Venous disease must always be treated at the source of the insuffi ciency. If a doctor has recommended treatment without a complete physical screening, patients should consider seeking a second opinion from a certifi ed phlebologist.
The importance of board certifi cation It is important to see a skilled, board-certifi ed vein specialist or phlebologist who is professionally trained and who understands the effect of venous health on overall health.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32