Sometimes it is advisable for a medical patient to seek a second opinion  But this process can be awkward for both the patient and the physicians, since the patient often worries that the first physician will be alienated  In addition, for the first physician there is the issue of pride: a second opinion tacitly highlights a physician' s fallibility
And the second physician is in the position of evaluating not only a patient' s health, but also, inevitably and uncomfortably, a colleague' s work
Because of the awkwardness involved, it is best for patients not to seek second opinions unless it is absolutely necessary.