Medical Second Opinion — Confidence in Diagnosis

What Is Medical Second Opinion?

A medical second opinion is the process by which a patient seeks evaluation from an additional specialist to confirm, complement, or revise an initial diagnosis or treatment plan. It is a patient right that has gained relevance with the digitization of healthcare and the growth of telemedicine.

Demand for second opinions grew significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by increased digital access for patients and the normalization of remote consultations. Digital platforms enable sharing of clinical records, laboratory results, and medical images with specialists regardless of geographic location.

Second opinions are particularly valuable in complex diagnoses such as oncology, neurosurgery, and rare diseases, where the perspective of a second expert can significantly change the course of treatment. Teleconsultation and teleinterconsultation between specialists have made this process more agile and accessible.

Why It Matters in Healthcare

• Patient confidence: Reduces anxiety and increases the patient's assurance in their diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Diagnostic accuracy: A second expert may identify findings that were overlooked or propose therapeutic alternatives.
• Access to specialists: Technology enables access to top-level specialists regardless of geographic location.
• Reduced unnecessary procedures: Studies show that second opinions can change the diagnosis or treatment in up to 20% of cases.
• Patient empowerment: Encourages active patient participation in health decisions.

How Davix Relates to Medical Second Opinion

• Davix enables second opinions through shared access to the electronic health record, laboratory results, and medical images across the entire network.
• The Physician Platform facilitates teleinterconsultation between specialists to evaluate complex cases.
• PACS/RIS allows sharing of DICOM imaging studies with remote specialists for review and second reading.
• LIS results are available digitally for any authorized specialist to review.
• Davix+ enables patients to connect with specialists and manage their consultations digitally.

Facilitate second opinions with Davix's integrated platform. Connect your specialists and improve your patients' diagnostic confidence.