Many patients don’t dare ask their doctor for a second opinion but half of those that do get different advice, according to new research by patient lobby group Patientenfederatie Nederland.

The research focused on 2,300 people who asked for a second opinion in 2015 and 2016, or who would have liked to speak to another doctor about their health problems.

The researchers found that half of the patients who got a second opinion about their illness were recommended different treatment.

However, one in five patients did not dare to ask their doctor for an alternative view.

Patients who doubt what they have been told should always ask for a second opinion, spokeswoman Dianda Veldman said. ‘It says something if half of those who do so are given different advice,’ she said.

‘Doctors should always discuss the full range of treatment with patients and not once they have asked for a second opinion,’ she said.