Date: 6/18/26
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 33 Second Opinions in Healthcare
Episode summary: In Episode 33 of Dr.Patient, host and physician Dr. Heather Johnston is joined by two guests — Mia and Joby — to share their personal experiences navigating the medical second opinion process after serious cancer diagnoses. Mia, a breast cancer survivor, and Joby, who faced three separate cancer diagnoses including bone cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma, open up about the emotional, logistical, and financial hurdles of seeking second opinions — from tracking down pathology slides and paying out-of-pocket fees to encountering dismissive surgeons and conflicting treatment recommendations. Together, they explore why patients seek second opinions (complex diagnosis, distrust, rare illness), what happens when doctors disagree on cancer treatment, and how factors like bedside manner, doctor-patient trust, institutional coordination, and staying current on medical research all influence which physician a patient ultimately chooses. If you've ever wondered whether to get a second medical opinion, how to navigate the healthcare system during a health crisis, or what questions to ask your oncologist, this episode offers honest, real-world insight from both a doctor's and patient's perspective.

Guest(s): Joby, Mia

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com