In This Section Find:
What is a Second Opinion Review Panel?
How Does It Work ?
How to Get a Second Opinion
The Forms You’ll Need
Most Often Asked Questions by Patients
What is a Second Opinion Review Panel?
The goal of thesecondopinion is to provide a panel format (Review Panel) so cancer patients and family members can get the clarity needed to manage their disease. A Review Panel consists of four to seven volunteer doctors who are board-certified in the medical specialties needed to review each individual case. Our physicians come from a variety of Bay Area medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. Patients and their families who attend may receive input from a radiologist, pathologist, radiation oncologist, one or two medical oncologists, and surgical sub-specialists as needed. The panelists are able to provide:
- Independent confirmation of the diagnosis and extent of disease
- A fuller understanding of test results and their significance for the individual
- An evaluation of the existing treatment plan
- Suggestions for alternatives or additions to the existing treatment plan
- Suggestions for additional diagnostic procedures, if indicated
- Information about relevant clinical research protocols
- Ways to improve symptom management
- Suggestions for supplementary support services
- Bridges between patients and providers when gaps in understanding exist
How It Works
Second opinion panels are conducted at thesecondopinion office located at Gough and Geary Streets in San Francisco. We generally hold three panels a month, with three patients and family members attending each session. Our office personnel gather medical records, provide instructions on preparing for the panel, and answer questions about what to expect on the panel day. Patient case summaries and relevant case materials are prepared by the Panel Chair, and are delivered to the volunteer physician panel members one week prior to each meeting.
On the day of the panel, the Panel Chair briefly interviews each patient and then reviews all the case material information with the physician panelists who create a combined diagnostic and treatment opinion. The patient and family members then join the panel, hear the panel findings, and participate in a discussion whose purpose is to answer patient questions and address their concerns, discuss treatment options and arrive at clear (and appropriate) recommendations. The panel session is taped for the benefit of the patient and is given to the patient to keep.
After the panel, the Panel Chair summarizing the consultation findings and opinions in a letter which is sent to both the treating physician(s) and the patient, and can be used as a basis for further discussion between the patient and his or her physician.
Follow-Up:
We ask patients to fill out a follow-up survey after they have had the opportunity to reflect on the service provided and the information received. In addition we may contact patients in the future to find out how things are going.
How To Get a Second Opinion
A telephone call or email is all it takes to get the process started: a doctor’s referral is not required. Our Program Coordinator will ask you for some basic information that we will need to get started. To appear before a review panel:
- You must be able to attend in person and spend two to three hours with us.
- You must have received a cancer diagnosis from your own doctor, and have been offered a treatment plan.
- You wish to clarify your diagnosis or look at your options.
- Copies of your written medical records, x-rays and scans, are available to us at least 10 days before your panel date.
- You are not in the process of getting “second” opinions from anyone else.
The Forms You’ll Need
Our Program Coordinator will send you a more detailed explanation of our service and the forms we need to proceed. You can save time by clicking to download the Instruction Sheet below. It describes what we need to get started, including Forms I through V also below, which can be clicked to download. However, we ask that you please read the instruction sheet first.
It’s important that you CALL OR E-MAIL us before you fill out or submit the forms below.
- Instruction Sheet
- Form I – Registration and Authorization Form
- Form II –Medical Intake Form
- Form III – Patient Health Information Release
- Form IV – Physicians and medical facilities
- Form V – Statistical Questionnaire
You need Adobe Reader (FREE) to view the documents. Click here to (easily) download it.
Our Medical Director or Panel Chair will do a preliminary evaluation as your records arrive, and we may contact you to make sure your case is appropriate for our service. We make an initial estimate of your panel date after you register, and schedule you when we have the necessary records.
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Most Often Asked Questions by Patients
How Do I Get Medical Records? Sometimes obtaining medical records can be a daunting process. If you prefer, we will do this for you after we receive your signed Registration and Authorization Form, your Patient Health Information Release Form and the other three forms requested on the Information sheet.
When Are My Records Reviewed? As information arrives, your records are submitted for an initial review to the Panel Chair or our Medical Director. At least one week prior to your panel date, your records are copied and sent, along with a case summary, to the physicians who will be sitting on your panel.
How Often Do Panels Meet? We try to schedule three panels a month, with three case reviews per panel.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Panel Date? Once you officially complete In-Take, we estimate the availability of panel doctors whose special expertise may be needed for your case as well as our current commitments. While we make every effort to expedite accumulating the needed information, it may take two weeks or more.
How Do I Prepare for a Panel? We suggest that you prepare a short list of questions-usually three to five-that address your most important concerns. Bring a friend or family member with you as an extra pair of ears, as well as a blank tape to record the session.
What Happens on Panel Day? You will be interviewed briefly by the Panel Chair to discuss any new information that you may have. A physical exam will not be performed. A light lunch is served while you await your turn to be invited into a private room to meet with your Review Panel physicians. You and they will discuss your diagnosis and treatment options and address your questions and concerns.
What If I Cannot Remember the Details? Your session will be tape-recorded and you keep the tape for your review later. We do request that you bring a tape. In addition, the Panel Chair will write a summarizing consultation letter, which will be sent to your requested physicians, and you will receive a copy of the letter.
Is It Possible I Won’t Qualify For Your Service? We occasionally receive requests for consultations from individuals whose situation does not fit within our areas of expertise or who otherwise do not qualify. In those cases we try to help you find a suitable alternative.
Can I Come Back for Another Opinion in the Future? While most people come to see us only once, we are always willing to consider providing another review at a later date.