Second opinion and time to knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study of 142 patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of obtaining a second opinion consultation on time to knee arthroplasty (KA). We further examined the frequency of KA and the determinants of KA following the second opinion.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Effects of a medical second opinion programme on patients' decision for or against knee arthroplasty and their satisfaction with the programme.

Background: German social legislation gives patients the right to obtain a second opinion before elective surgery and defines quality criteria for reimbursement by statutory health insurances. However, the effects of second opinions before elective surgery are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a second opinion programme in patients recommended for knee arthroplasty.