Cedars-Sinai Expands Virtual Second Opinion to Massachusetts, 38 Other States

Cedars-Sinai has expanded the availability of its Virtual Second Opinion program to residents of Massachusetts and 38 other states.

The expansion provides patients with fast, convenient, at-home access to expert medical insights on treatment options for more than 600 health conditions.

See also: 8 Massachusetts Children Killed By Flu This Season

"The expansion comes at a pivotal moment in medical history: Many regions are experiencing shortages of medical specialists, people are increasingly comfortable using online health resources, and more people are seeking reliable information as they take active roles in their healthcare decisions," according to the media release.

See also: CDC Issues New Warning Over Fatal Disease’s Spread: What To Know In MA

"People feel more comfortable asking for a virtual second opinion when they know the process will be fast, convenient, and of high quality,” emergency medicine physician Shoma Desai, the executive director of Digital Innovation at Cedars-Sinai, said in the release.

See also: MA Hit Hard With Little-Known Respiratory Virus

“A virtual second opinion from a national center of excellence like Cedars-Sinai gives participants confidence and empowers them to make decisions about their treatment,” Desai said.

More than 150 Cedars-Sinai specialists provide virtual second opinions through a secure and private platform.

See also: 4 Massachusetts Children Killed By Flu

"Participants begin by completing a short questionnaire and speaking with a Cedars-Sinai nurse coordinator, who collects relevant medical records," according to the release.

"The Virtual Second Opinion program then identifies a physician specialist whose expertise aligns with the participant’s area of concern," the release said. "That physician reviews the prior medical records and prepares a detailed written report analyzing the participant’s medical history and prior recommendations and answering any specific questions."

See also: Subclade K Mutation Causing Surge Of Flu Cases In MA: What To Know