Survey finds U.S. patients very trusting

WASHINGTON, Jun 28, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Almost half of U.S. patients surveyed in a Gallup poll said they never seek a second doctor's opinion when drugs, surgery or treatment is prescribed.

Of about 5,000 adults surveyed nationwide, 49 percent said they don't seek other opinions, while 41 percent said they sometimes seek a second opinion and 3 percent said they "always" seek a second opinion.

The remaining 7 percent either did not have a doctor or responded "don't know," the Washington Times said Tuesday.

The poll found women are more likely to get second opinions than men. It also established education level as a factor in getting second opinions --half the panelists with a college education said they always or sometimes seek a second opinion, compared to only 37 percent of those with a high school education or less.

Dr. Don Martin, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said he wishes more people would get second assessments.

"Don't worry about hurting the doctor's feelings," he said.