One of the emerging trends in telemedicine is getting a second medical opinion; an important resource for confirming diagnoses, exploring and understanding alternative treatment options.

When does a patient seek a second medical opinion?

• Complex medical conditions;

• Unclear diagnoses;

• Before surgical procedures;

• Lack of improvement in health after treatment;

• Mental and emotional disorders.

Criteria for choosing a telemedicine platform to provide a second opinion

• The ability of patients to upload medical tests to the platform The telemedicine platform must offer patients the option to upload their medical tests to the platform to be analyzed by the doctor. Before the consultation, patients will upload their medical records, imaging (x-rays, MRIs, CTP etc.), laboratory results and previous doctors' recommendations.

• Enabling doctors to write medical recommendations and prescriptions online;

• Video consultations During the online consultation, the doctor will review the patient's medical history, discuss symptoms and offer alternative perspectives or diagnoses. The consultation is preferable to take place through a video platform for a better doctor-patient connection.

• The possibility of rescheduling consultations Emergencies may arise in doctors' schedules that prevent them from carrying out the online consultation. In that case, the doctor must have the possibility to reschedule or cancel the consultation, and the patient must have the possibility to accept the rescheduling or cancellation of the consultation

• Data privacy: Sharing medical records online can raise privacy concerns. It is essential to use platforms that comply with strict healthcare regulations and GDPR to protect patient data.

• Accredited doctors: With many telemedicine platforms available, it is important for patients to make sure they are selecting a reputable service. Checking doctors' credentials, reviews and professional affiliations are important to guarantee a high standard of care.

At Digital Clinics we are constantly improving our services to provide all these facilities to doctors and patients.

The future of a second opinion in telemedicine