The current status of surgical second opinion programs.
Second opinion programs proliferated in the 1970s, and most of these were voluntary programs. Until more complete evaluations of voluntary and mandatory programs are done, it seems likely that second opinion programs will continue to be on a voluntary basis. Second opinion programs have been shown to identify potential surplus surgery and are designed to contain costs.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D014481:United States