Question 1

What is a Second Opinion?

Accepted Answer

A Medical Second Opinion is the practice of getting an expert opinion on a diagnosis or recommended treatment. A doctor who offers a Second Opinion Service gets the results of tests already done and opinions written by other doctors for analysis. On the basis of these medical data, the diagnosis made or the advisability of therapy is confirmed or disproved.

Question 2

Do I need a doctor’s referral to request a second opinion?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t. No official referral is required. However, depending on your own wish and circumstances you may prefer to discuss your issue and case details with your treating physician before booking a consultation with our expert.

Question 3

What are the advantages of the Second Opinion?

Accepted Answer

Despite progress in the standardization of health care processes, algorithms for diagnosis and treatment of most diseases involve alternatives. One physician's choice of one method or another is not always optimal in terms of other options. Involvement of the Second Opinion gives more objectivity to the choice and allows avoiding errors related to the "human factor". However, the main purpose of seeking a Second Opinion is not to change your doctor. On the contrary, a second opinion can increase your credibility.

Question 4

Is a Remote Second Opinion appropriate for me?

Accepted Answer

A Remote Second Opinion is usually helpful if:

All of the diagnostic tests recommended by your doctor have been done;
The results of the tests done and your doctor's report are available;
There is a need to make sure the diagnosis, treatment, or recommended surgery is correct.

Question 5

Why an International Second Opinion?

Accepted Answer

The International Second Opinion not only provides reassurance that the diagnosis is correct, but also a suggestion for alternative treatments that may be more appropriate to the case. Doctors in different countries traditionally follow a certain medical school, which may conflict with the principle of an individualized approach to each patient. For example, some countries have traditionally used antibiotics extensively, while others apply stricter criteria when prescribing them. Some countries most often prescribe stenting for vasoconstriction, although somewhere in similar cases they prefer drug therapy. PET-CT or other diagnostic radiology techniques are considered optimal in a number of countries, but many others prefer techniques with less radiation exposure. With the help of the International Second Opinion, patients can choose the diagnostic and treatment methods that are best for them.

Question 6

What are the limitations of the International Second Opinion?

Accepted Answer

An International Second Opinion cannot replace a doctor's visit if additional diagnostic measures are required or if emergency medical care is needed. A remote Second Opinion is based on information provided by the patient and is therefore limited to an expert evaluation of that information only. In addition, additional examinations may be recommended, for which the patient will need to obtain a referral from his or her physician in the community. It is not possible to provide emergency medical care via telemedicine.

Question 7

Are the physician's recommendations for medication selection and administration an official document, can I use them to buy medication?

Accepted Answer

Doctors who provide Second Opinion services follow the rules and laws of their country of residence. Not always the laws of the country allow the doctor to write a prescription without personal examination, in some countries it is forbidden to take medicines without a doctor's supervision. In this case, you will need to contact your doctor and discuss the proposed therapy with him or her.

Question 8

Second opinion and telemedicine: what's the difference?

Accepted Answer

Telemedicine is the remote delivery of medical services using telecommunications and information technology. For example, special home devices can transmit a number of vital parameters to a doctor located at a considerable distance from the patient. Based on the data thus obtained, the doctor can monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the current therapy plan.

A second opinion consultation is, in a sense, a telemedicine service. However, the fundamental difference between both forms of advice is, that in this case, the main focus is on the already available conclusions and recommendations, which are evaluated by an independent expert based on a review of the provided medical data. In other words, if in general the concept of "telemedicine" can be simplified as "treatment administered at a distance", a second opinion is an expert review, the purpose of which is to ensure maximum efficiency of the therapeutic process.

Medical second opinion services