What do you think - 2nd opinion docs on line?

[Lulu54]

I spent some time today looking over the website for a group that is fairly new but is marketing  a concept that we suggest here quite often - the second opinion.  The difference is this is a second opinion you get online by paying for the  time of a specialist who will talk with you and review your tests.  You select the specialty and the doctor you want to confer with, pay the fee, and then set up an appointment to meet via internet or on the phone.  There list of experts is pretty impressive and they have great credentials.   Here's their web address if you want to kill some time looking this over  -

https://2nd.md/

I'm just pondering how it fits into the MS treatment or diagnosis scenario.  What do you think?

[sllowe]

I think it has a value to some medical scenarios.

Since MS is a clinical diagnosis, I would say it wouldn't apply.
My 2 cents
-Shell

[jenphilly]

This doesn't sound much different then when one daughter calls another for a phone consult...   My primary did that with twice during my roller coaster diagnosis experience.   I think it's a great service, especially for anyone who has a doctor that is not open to admitting they don't have the answer and think talking to an 'expert' would be helpful.  

We're always suggesting finding another doctor or switching doctors!   This would be a great service or anyone who lives too far from an MS Center or neuros with a solid base of MS patients...  this service may not provide treatment, but can be a great foundation to walk into another doctors office and have in hand a report from the experts of what direction needs to be followed.

If I lived in a different area then I do and the doctors / hospitals were not readily available that I'm lucky to have nearby, I definitely would take advantage of this type of service!!

Lulu, thanks for much for posting this!   I know there are many people here that are in limboland and the doctors are essentially just sitting and waiting to see what happens next, this may be a great way to get things back on track and not wait for an episode or more symptoms to develop!!

Jen

[anon07072023]

I sent my MRI CDs to Johns Hopkins. It was pretty disappointing. They never read over my history or my symptoms.  And it almost seemed like no one really paid attention that i was there for a second opinion, even though I had to fill out all of this paperwork on it. I almost felt like their motto might be quantity over quality. I just don't know.  

Luckily for me, my insurance Cigna, covers things like this.

I wouldn't mind talking with another doctor for a second opinion in regards to MS or my other stuff that I have going on - even if it's just via the internet.  

[Lulu54]

I remember johns Hopkins does these types of virtual reviews for a very hefty fee. And no, it says it is not billable to insurance because it is not a medical exam.

[marlo34]

Lulu,
Specifically for m.s, my mind goes back to how my neuro said he had a "low suspicion of m.s" based on my symptoms. He also said my neuro exam was normal. However, after he got my MRI results, that is when the m.s talk really began.
I think without the test, I might have been dismissed. I guess what I am saying is, it seems to me that almost ALL stock is placed in the MRI and csf test, that docs hardly really "see" you anyway. What could it hurt to have someone review your data? Of course, people need to keep in mind that it (the website) is a business that is looking to make money. Because of that, the potential to string people along might be very high, and I think some folks could get taken advantage of. On the flip side, maybe I am wrong. It seems so many doctors look through us anyway and only see our  labs--maybe the "in person" consult is overrated these days.

[supermum_ms]

We have something 'similar' available over here in the outback, though you dont choose the dr, its like a normal dr's appt but virtual. It was developed for people living too far out but need some level of medical attention that wasn't an emegency, which would require the flying doctors to come in for pick up.

I think people will pay for this service 'but' (and thats a big but) i can't see how this site is significantly different to any other online dr site thats already available. There's a slight twist to it but there would have to be disclaimers etc and at the end of the day, what neuro is ever going to accept a dx you got online, when most get there noses out of joint if a patient looks something up on the net.

Lets be honest here, many (not all) neuro's dont even accept another neuro's dx, they commonly seem to only count their own opinion as being valid.

My 2 cents.........JJ

[Deb61]

I'm wondering the same thing.  I guess, though, it would be a nice option for people wanting only advice who live far from qualified professionals.  I think it would not be nearly as good as seeing someone in person because the physician would be reliant on that other neurologist's neurological exam.  Some neuros aren't very thorough.  However, maybe they could look over an MRI, lab tests, etc. and give their opinion.  I don't know how they could diagnosis a disease like MS unless they do a clinical exam personally.  I think they can probably only give advice and guidance with major or complex illnesses like MS.  

Maybe they can guide a primary physician and work through that person?  

I'm also wondering if they are covered by insurance companies.