By Ola Kotun, Founder, 5 Delphi · 3 October 2026
Most people seek a second opinion only when something feels wrong. In our experience it is worth considering whenever a decision is serious and hard to reverse. Over the twelve months to May 2026, 60–70% of the second opinions 5 Delphi delivered materially altered the original plan.
When a second opinion is worth it
- —A cancer diagnosis or proposed treatment pathway
- —Major or elective surgery, especially if irreversible
- —A rare or unclear diagnosis
- —Two clinicians giving you different advice
- —A treatment that is expensive, experimental or abroad
What a good second opinion includes
A good second opinion does more than repeat the first. It should test the diagnosis, compare the alternatives, and tell you plainly what it recommends and why.
- —Review of your records and imaging by the right specialty
- —Comparison of treatment options and techniques
- —A clear, named recommendation in plain English
- —Sources you can show your own doctors
Check that it is independent
Ask who pays the reviewer. If the opinion comes from a clinic that will also perform the treatment, or from a service paid referral fees, the incentive is not neutral. 5 Delphi is paid only by clients and confirms this in writing.
How it works with 5 Delphi
It starts with a free, confidential 30-minute brief. If we can help, we produce a fixed-fee evidence pack within 48 to 72 hours, scored against the same proprietary rating matrix every time.
Key takeaway
Get a second opinion when a decision is serious and hard to undo, and make sure whoever gives it has nothing to gain from your answer.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a qualified clinician about your own situation.