New ‘second opinion platform’ allows patients to question their radiologists’ findings
A South Florida vendor has launched a new “second opinion platform” allowing patients to tap outside experts to question their radiologist’s findings.
MDView said the service lets individuals securely upload medical image files and records. They then can match up with independent, subspecialized physicians who review the information. Patients are able to pick their preferred radiologist, with the option to also add a video consultation, the Cooper City, Florida-based company said Wednesday.
“Getting a second opinion should not be so difficult and it certainly should not take weeks or months, especially when faced with any condition that requires immediate action,” CEO and Co-founder Tracy Amato said July 5. “Our mission at MDView is to simplify and drastically shorten the process of getting a second opinion, and we are starting by giving access to fast and affordable radiology second opinions.”
Doctors working for MDView have access to a standard DICOM and medical record viewer within the tech company’s prioritized work list. The vendor said it contracts with outside teleradiology groups such as Transparent Imaging, which reads about 500,000 exams annually, to provide the service.
“The importance of a second opinion read on diagnostic imaging is well-documented but not readily accessible to patients who want a radiologist to take a second look,” Eric Ledermann, DO, MBA, co-founder of the Lakewood, New Jersey-based teleradiology group, said in the announcement. “MDView empowers patients by offering the opportunity to get a fast second opinion on their radiology images from the comfort of home,” he added later.
The company is urging patients to sign up for a free account on its website. MDView’s service is currently available in Florida with plans to eventually launch throughout the United States. Leaders also are seeking additional radiologists to provide second opinions.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.