“Second-Opinion” Survey Results Raise Eyebrows For Future Valve Surgery Patients
May 20th, 2007
As many of you know, during the past three months I have coordinated an extensive online survey of almost 100 former, heart valve surgery patients and caregivers. The objective of this study was to better understand the impact and realities of heart valve surgery in their lives.
I have to admit, this was a very interesting and eye-opening experience. In addition to the online survey, I also spoke with and interviewed many doctors, nurses, patients and caregivers in the hopes of helping future heart valve repair and replacement patients.
One of the most curious survey results contained within this study was specific to “second opinions”.
As I have written before in this blog, it is my opinion that obtaining a second opinion is a critical step leading up to a patient’s heart valve surgery. (Especially with the recent medical frauds detailed and exposed in books like “Coronary” – See “Having Heart Valve Surgery? First Get A Second Opinion!”)
That said, one of the questions asked in this survey was, “Did you get a second opinion to confirm your valve disease or defect prior to surgery?”
I was definitely surprised when I saw the results shown on the figure below.
As you can see above, 35% of patients did not acquire a second opinion prior to having heart valve surgery. For me, this is a problematic, mis-step in the process leading up to cardiac surgery – regardless of whether it is either an open heart procedure or a minimally invasive valve procedure.
Again, it is my opinion that all future patients take the time to acquire a second everything – a second EKG, a second diagnosis, a second this and a second that.
As for the other survey results contained in this study, over 35 multiple choice and essay questions were asked in this survey and provided in The Patients’ Guide To Heart Valve Surgery (Revised Edition).
Here are some examples of the other questions asked to former patients and caregivers:
1. What is your “Best Piece Of Advice” for future heart valve surgery patients and caregivers?
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| About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates clinical research with the personal experiences of 135 former patients to help future patients and their caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here. |
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