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Are you thinking about starting a Remote Second Opinion (RSO) program but don’t know where to begin?

Well, you’re not alone.

A lot goes into the planning and launch of a successful RSO program beyond just having expert physicians ready to give their second opinions. While it might seem like a daunting task to launch a remote second opinion program, it doesn’t have to be.

It’s no surprise that the current global pandemic has accelerated telehealth’s adoption. More and more patients are looking to manage their care remotely and early indications point to the increased use of telehealth services being here to stay even after economies reopen. That said, you might find yourself asking, “which telehealth services should my organization be offering?”

It’s a fair question considering the various options that exist in the market but we hope to be able to provide some guidance below.

Here’s a familiar story. A new patient sets up an appointment to see a specialist. She has been dealing with her current health issues for years and has built up a shoe box full of prior records. The specialist, however, has no way to capture these prior records and is forced into one of the following options:

• Have the patient bring the records with her to her appointment
• Have the patient ship the records through the mail
• Have the patient email whatever records they can to the practice
• Disregard the prior records and start from scratch

There are a multitude of reasons you may need access to your loved one's medical records. Regardless of the reason, you're likely asking yourself at least one of the following questions: How can I obtain my loved one's medical records? Who has the right to my loved one's medical records? How can I obtain and store my loved one's medical records?

Today's unprecedented access to information has transformed how we, as consumers, make purchasing decisions. Whether it's a smaller purchase such as a new pair of shoes or a larger purchase like a new car, we no longer rely solely on carefully crafted marketing materials for product information.

Instead, we examine online reviews and request recommendations from our network of friends by tapping into social media. This information is instantly available through mobile devices and online platforms. The same is true for patients seeking healthcare:  they are more engaged than ever before and they expect a higher level of transparency and service from their providers, including easier access to their medical images and records.