Cedars-Sinai Launches Virtual Second Opinion Services in 6 States

Launched by Cedars-Sinai, a telehealth-based service known as the Virtual Second Opinion Program aims to assist patients needing cardiac, spine, or gynecologic care through second-opinion consultations with specialists and virtual education resources.

According to the press release, second opinions provide value in guiding patient decisions. In pursuit of enhanced treatment, Cedars-Sinai began offering a specialized virtual consultation program in six states.

Intended to offer second opinions on conditions related to complex cardiac, spine, and gynecologic care, this program allows patients to communicate with a nurse coordinator within 24 hours of requesting services. This professional then works with the patient to align all medical records.

The next step involves the patient working with a physician who provides a second-opinion report. While considering previous medical history along with prior provider recommendations, the report also includes answers to patient questions.

First launched in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, this program is available to patients in California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, and Utah. The health system plans to further expand the program to additional states nationwide in the coming months.

"When you need specialized care for the most complex conditions, expertise matters," said Joanna Chikwe, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai, in a press release. "So does convenience and speed. One of the special things about Virtual Second Opinion is that the physician can give each participant completely individualized and tailored treatment options."  

Another feature of the program is a 30-minute education session to review the findings. Taking place under the supervision of the Cedars-Sinai expert, this session gives patients the opportunity to ask questions and determine future actions.

Second opinions are particularly applicable in treating specialty care conditions. For example, David Skaggs, MD, director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, noted that spinal conditions are often misdiagnosed upon first encounter. This indicates the importance of second opinions prior to establishing surgical plans.

Matthew Siedhoff, MD, vice chair of gynecology at Cedars-Sinai and an expert in minimally invasive surgery for fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis, described its similar value in treating gynecologic conditions.

"In the same way that spinal conditions can often be misdiagnosed, many gynecologic conditions are underdiagnosed — which can cause women to suffer needless pain and frustration," he said in the press release. "A virtual second opinion can make such a difference. When patients come to us for an online visit, the imaging, lab tests, physical exam, and other in-person tasks have already been done and can give us a good basis for evaluating the patient and recommending next steps."

Prior efforts have indicated the value of providing virtual second opinion programs.

In May 2022, Summus Global began working alongside Boston Children’s Hospital to add virtual pediatric care strategies and support the hospital's Second Opinion Program.

Created by Boston Children’s Hospital, the Second Opinion Program aims to enhance treatment. Data shows that the program altered treatment recommendations for 68 percent of encounters since its start.