Why Neil DeGrasse Tyson's Tweet About Getting a Second Doctor's Opinion Misses the Mark

If you live with a chronic illness or health condition, you’ve more than likely made the rounds when it comes to visiting doctors and specialists. Maybe it took five, 10, 20 doctors to finally receive a proper diagnosis. Or perhaps you even have a team of specialists who all currently consult on your medical treatment and care.

Health issues can be incredibly complex and varied, and when you’re up against something more complicated than the common cold or a sprained ankle, finding a doctor who can immediately diagnose and treat your condition rarely happens in one stop.

While seeking a second… or third… or sixteenth opinion may be commonplace for those with health conditions, it seems not everyone is in the loop.

On Friday, astrophysicist and author Neil DeGrasse Tyson tweeted, “Odd that we don’t solicit a second opinion from Doctors after receiving a good medical diagnosis.”

Odd that we don’t solicit a second opinion from Doctors after receiving a good medical diagnosis.

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) May 3, 2019

Dr. Tyson’s followers were overwhelmingly puzzled by the tweet, with many chiming in to share their personal experience.

That’s not always true. I’ve met people that have had to deal with lots of diagnoses of being fine before finally finding a second opinion that discovers various chronic or obscure health problems.

— Julie (@Joyful_Leader) May 3, 2019

In my experience, the opposite is actually true

— Dr. Ian O’Neill (@astroengine) May 3, 2019

Though the majority of doctors are incredibly knowledgeable and well-intentioned, it’s still unrealistic to expect every medical professional to know everything about every health issue. There are an estimated 7,000 rare diseases alone – what are the chances a doctor is an expert on all of them?

Patients may be referred to multiple specialists (and get multiple opinions) before finding a doctor who is familiar enough with their condition that they can make a diagnosis and implement a treatment strategy.

There’s also the old adage taught in medical school that tells doctors, “If you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” When a patient presents with a symptom or health issue, many doctors are trained to look for the most common culprit. Though this may be a fine strategy for the majority of days, it can cause serious harm to patients who do have a health condition that’s out of the ordinary. In these cases, it’s absolutely crucial for patients to seek multiple opinions – just in case the first doctor missed something.

People seeking a diagnosis or treatment may face a number of additional barriers that require them to get a second or third opinion, such as doctors not believing patients, doctors thinking patients’ symptoms are psychosomatic, doctors misdiagnosing patients, etc.

For instance, a viral Twitter thread started in 2018 by writer Suzannah Weiss asked women how long and how many doctors it took them to get diagnosed. She listed her own experience with 17 different doctors she sought care from over an 11-month period. Other women with chronic illness were quick to chime in and share similar experiences.

“Just because a doctor says something doesn’t make it true,” Weiss previously told The Mighty, adding:

You know your body better than anyone else. If what a doctor tells you seems off, get another opinion. Then another. Especially if they’re telling you nothing’s wrong when you know there is, and especially if they’re telling you it’s anxiety or depression when you know there’s something more. This is something women deal with in medical settings all the time, so be wary of it and trust your intuition, even if it seems like nobody else is on your side. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re being dramatic or the problem isn’t serious. If it’s impacting your quality of life, it is. You deserve to feel completely well. Don’t settle for anything less.

The thread not only sheds light on how many doctors people with complex health conditions often see, but it also demonstrates how important it is for patients to be taken seriously – regardless of their gender identity, race, sexual orientation or religion.

While many people do seek out multiple medical opinions, this is, of course, not always the case. An individual may not follow up with a different doctor for a variety of reasons, such as lack of time or feeling confident in the first doctor’s diagnosis. However, Tyson’s followers pointed out that affordability and insurance are two of the biggest limiting factors preventing patients from soliciting multiple opinions.

Appointments can be expensive – not to mention any testing, procedures or medication the doctor prescribes. Insurance doesn’t always cover visits to multiple doctors or certain types of specialists; even if it does, the costs can still be high. While seeking out a second or third opinion may be important medically, it is a privilege that not everyone has access to.

I can barely afford one opinion

— SKUNK (@heavy_skunk) May 3, 2019

Me: I’m extremely underweight.

Doctor: *does a series of tests* You’re completely healthy. Nothing is wrong with you. You shouldn’t complain; everyone wishes they could be skinny like you.

Me: ….

Doctor’s Receptionist: That’ll be $7, 947.39 after insurance.

Second Opinion?

— Chasity (@just__chasity) May 4, 2019

Though Tyson’s tweet may have missed the mark, hopefully, the personal stories and experiences shared in response can help shed light on the reality of going to the doctor when you live with complex health conditions.

The Mighty has reached out to Neil DeGrasse Tyson for comment and has yet to hear back.

To read more about visiting the doctor when you have a chronic illness, check out the stories from our community below:

• 15 Pieces of Advice From a ‘Professional Patient’
• Why It’s Important to Get a Second Opinion
• 10 Steps to Finding the Right Doctor for You
• 16 ‘Red Flags’ That Might Mean It’s Time to Find a New Doctor
• To the Person Wondering, ‘Is My Doctor Right for Me?’