--- title: Can I Attract New Patients with Second Opinions? description: Can offering second opinions help you get new patients? If you are interested in performing more procedures you may want to consider starting a program. image: https://www.purview.net/hubfs/_Blog%20Graphics%20(60).png --- [Patient Log In](https://www.purview.net/sign_in) ![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/search-icon.png?width=40&height=42&name=search-icon.png) [![Purview® Logo](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/image1.png?width=1600&height=212&name=image1.png "Purview® Logo")](https://www.purview.net) Open main menu Close main menu - SOLUTIONS Open the submenu - [Expert View](https://www.purview.net/expert-view) - [Purview Image](https://www.purview.net/image) - CLIENTS Open the submenu - [Hospitals](https://www.purview.net/hospitals) - [Physicians](https://www.purview.net/physicians) - [Radiologists](https://www.purview.net/radiologists) - [Veterinary Specialists](https://www.purview.net/veterinary-specialists) - [Legal Services](https://www.purview.net/legal-services) - LEARN Open the submenu - [Blog](https://www.purview.net/learn-blog) - [Webinars](https://www.purview.net/webinars) - [Case Studies](https://www.purview.net/case-studies) - [White Papers](https://www.purview.net/whitepapers) - [User Stories](https://www.purview.net/user-stories) - [FAQ](https://www.purview.net/faqs) - [News](https://www.purview.net/news) - [ABOUT](https://www.purview.net/about) - [Talk to Us](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) # [Blog](https://www.purview.net/-temporary-slug-b02e404d-d4fc-45ef-892c-6e2fb3eb27cb?hs_preview=wZjuNnwR-68372816499) - [Blog](https://www.purview.net/learn-blog) - [Webinars](https://www.purview.net/webinars) - [Case Studies](https://www.purview.net/case-studies) - [White Papers](https://www.purview.net/whitepapers) - [User Stories](https://www.purview.net/user-stories) - [FAQ](https://www.purview.net/faqs) - [News](https://www.purview.net/news) [Second Opinions](https://www.purview.net/blog/topic/second-opinions) # Can I Attract New Patients with Second Opinions? **Written By:** Josh DeBartolo | **Published On:** September 16, 2021  Printer Friendly [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.purview.net/blog/attract-new-patients-with-second-opinions) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.purview.net/blog/attract-new-patients-with-second-opinions) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.purview.net/blog/attract-new-patients-with-second-opinions) ![increase procedures with second opinion program](https://www.purview.net/hubfs/_Blog%20Graphics%20(60).png) Over the last few years, more and more research has been coming out showing the value to patients of receiving a second opinion for rare or complex diagnoses. In a now [well-known study](https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-04-25/getting-a-second-opinion-could-save-your-life), 88% of patients referred to the Mayo Clinic's General Internal Medicine Division by outside physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians from primary care practices received a new or refined diagnosis. [Another study](https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/23/9/727.short) found that diagnostic errors affect 1 in 20 adults in the United States, representing a possible 12 million patients each year receiving a misdiagnosis. [Still another study](https://www.mcpiqojournal.org/article/S2542-4548(21)00033-3/fulltext) showed that receiving a second opinion improved the diagnostic error rate from over 50% to 26% in the model used.  With these clear data points in mind showing the value of a second opinion, many hospitals are asking the next logical question, *“*Can I Attract New Patients and Increase Procedures with Second Opinions?" The short answer to this question is yes and is supported by an [Advisory Board](https://www.advisory.com/) study which found that 53% of cancer patients who were referred into a second opinion clinic at a large healthcare system in the state of Ohio became patients of that system within 15 months.   To dig into this question a little deeper, let’s look at the second opinion market in more detail. ## Second Opinion Market The [Medical Second Opinion Market](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/08/23/2285025/0/en/Medical-Second-Opinion-Market-Size-Worth-USD-9751-58-Million-by-2027-at-15-8-CAGR-Report-by-Market-Research-Future-MRFR.html) is expected to hit $9.7 billion by 2027, growing at an annualized rate of 15.8 percent. This means that more patients than ever before are expected to seek second opinions in the coming years. Interestingly though, in 2010 [Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/145025/americans-doctor-advice-without-second-opinion.aspx) ran a poll as part of its annual Health and Healthcare Survey in which 70 percent of respondents stated that they were confident in the accuracy of their doctor’s advice and didn’t feel the need to check or do their own research to confirm. This number ballooned to 85 percent expressing confidence among respondents over 65 years old, precisely the demographic most at risk of receiving a complex diagnosis that could benefit from a second opinion. While more recent Gallup poll information is not available to see if opinions have shifted since the survey was performed, it begs the question of if the second opinion market could actually grow much faster than projected by focusing on patient education. If patients knew that research is now showing decisive proof that primary diagnoses are often wrong when it comes to complex conditions, would patients be more open to seeking a second opinion?  Some might. However, others still struggle with the power dynamics of pursuing a second opinion as they don’t want to offend their primary doctor. We have seen this in practice among the patients we serve, with some even asking if it is legal to seek a second opinion. On the flip side, some practices frown on second opinions as a “[collegial taboo](https://ijhpr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2045-4015-1-30)” inevitably making it more difficult for patients to seek other opinions. Additionally, providers may shy away from the second opinion space due to litigation fears around the idea that a change in diagnosis could open up the primary provider to a [malpractice claim](https://www.mcpiqojournal.org/article/S2542-4548(21)00033-3/fulltext) if the second opinion uncovers a misdiagnosis.   Savvy practices, however, will be able to use this information to their advantage to attract new patients to their facilities by not just offering a second opinion program, but also by educating prospective patients on both the value of receiving a second opinion as well as empowering them to seek one out. Practices that publicly acknowledge that complex cases can have multiple interpretations and that multiple reviews are better than one will win the day. I recently went into a specialist who ultimately stated that he did not believe I needed surgery for an injury.  What struck me was that at the end of the appointment he said, “I make a living performing surgeries and I don’t believe you need a surgery at this stage, but please seek out a second opinion if you would like another review and come back to me with their findings.” This put my mind at ease that this doctor actually cared that I received a correct diagnosis and actually gave me more confidence in his practice.  ## Attracting New Patients and Procedures through Second Opinions While the Advisory Board study showed that 53 percent of referrals to a second opinion clinic became patients within 15 months, these results will vary based on the state of your facility’s current reputation and expertise.    Attracting new patients and procedures to your facility starts with asking yourself the following questions: 1. Does your [brand](https://www.purview.net/blog/promoting-your-brand-with-remote-second-opinions) already stand out? 2. Do you have regional, national or [international](https://www.purview.net/blog/attracting-international-second-opinion-patients) expertise in one or more subspecialties? 3. Would you prefer to outsource the second opinion administration process? 4. Is a second or virtual opinion service going to be a core offering for your organization? 5. Is maximizing the potential [revenue](https://www.purview.net/blog/the-roi-of-remote-second-opinions) for offering second or virtual opinions important? 6. Does your hospital receive referrals from other hospitals with whom you are partnered for your particular subspecialties? The answers to these questions will help establish a baseline for the potential return on investment for your second opinion program.  Even if you can’t achieve the 53 percent new patient rate seen with the Ohio healthcare system, adding just a few procedures a month can make a second opinion program well worthwhile.  Purview has helped [many practices](https://www.purview.net/how-chla-got-started-with-online-second-opinions?hsCtaTracking=28cf303b-5252-4454-b97b-0fc4827a8d80%7C53c69817-0247-4a6b-a613-fe0e09970ac9) determine if launching a second opinion program is right for them.  If you aren’t sure if you can attract new patients and increase procedures with Second Opinions, start by downloading the Second Opinion maturity model below. Once you’ve completed it, let us know and we’d be happy to go through your results with you and help you make the right call. [![remote second opinion maturity model](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/462304/b764c364-dc4d-4288-8fc9-3c5ebd037104.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/462304/b764c364-dc4d-4288-8fc9-3c5ebd037104) Related articles [![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Health%20Access%20Image%20sm.jpg?height=200&name=Health%20Access%20Image%20sm.jpg) Second Opinions Beyond the Zip Code: When Expertise Isn’t Local, Access Can’t Be Either Samantha Winters Read Now](https://www.purview.net/blog/beyond-the-zip-code) [![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/translations%20image%20blog.png?height=200&name=translations%20image%20blog.png) Second Opinions | international Why Most US Providers Require English Translation of International Medical Records Les Trachtman, EE, JD, MBA Read Now](https://www.purview.net/blog/english-translation-of-medical-records) [![](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Data%20Residency%20Image%20sm%20icon.jpg?height=200&name=Data%20Residency%20Image%20sm%20icon.jpg) Second Opinions | Compliance/Legislation Cross-Border Telehealth: Why Data Residency Can Make or Break Remote Access Les Trachtman, EE, JD, MBA Read Now](https://www.purview.net/blog/data-residency) ![image1](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/image1.png?width=300&height=40&name=image1.png) #### About Purview [About Us](https://www.purview.net/about) [News](https://www.purview.net/news) #### Solutions [Expert View™](https://www.purview.net/expertview) [Expert View™ Demo](https://www.purview.net/scale-with-second-opinions-demonstration) [Purview Image™](https://www.purview.net/image) [Purview Image™ Demo](https://www.purview.net/image#Five-Min-Demo) #### Resources [Blog](https://www.purview.net/blog) [Events](https://www.purview.net/webinars) [Customer Stories](https://www.purview.net/user-stories) #### Support [Contact Support](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) [Contact Us](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) [Sales](https://www.purview.net/contact-us) [![facebook-purview](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook-purview.png?width=30&height=30&name=facebook-purview.png)](https://www.facebook.com/PurviewImages) [![linkedin-purview](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin-purview.png?width=26&height=25&name=linkedin-purview.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/purview) © 2026 PURVIEW All Rights Reserved [Privacy Policies](https://www.purview.net/privacypolicy) [Terms of Service](https://www.purview.net/hubfs/Purview%20Terms%20of%20Service%202026.pdf)   ### Title Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. WATCH NOW | [ALL NEWS]({url={type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=,%20href_with_scheme=},%20open_in_new_tab=false,%20no_follow=false,%20sponsored=false,%20user_generated_content=false,%20rel=}) ![small-blog-image](https://www.purview.net/hs-fs/hubfs/small-blog-image.jpg?width=200&height=143&name=small-blog-image.jpg)