For Patients
Apply for a Second Opinion
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Call or email us: ph: 415-775-9956
email: lori@thesecondopinion.org.
2. Complete the New Patient Forms (below)
3. Return the completed forms to our office.
New Patient Forms
"New Patient Forms: English 2018 PDF"
"New Patient Forms Spanish 2018 PDF"
"New Patient Forms Chinese 2018 PDF"
- email to: mail@thesecondopinion.org Our Medical Director will review your case from 1-7 days from the date of receipt. Thank you to the Volunteer Health Interpreters Organization at U.C. Berkeley for translating the "New Patient Forms" into Chinese and to Circulo De Vida, Ferney Orlando Sanchez for translating the "New patient Forms" into Spanish.
- fax to 415-346-8652
- or mail to : thesecondopinion
1200 Gough Street
Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94109
DO I NEED A SECOND OPINION?
Consider getting a second opinion if you:
• Have doubts about your current course of treatment or diagnosis
• Seek an independent unbiased confirmation of the diagnosis and extent of disease
• Desire a fuller understanding of test results and their significance
• Seek suggestions for additional treatment alternatives or additional diagnostic procedures
• Desire information about relevant clinical research protocols
• Need help to improve symptom management
• Would like suggestions for supplementary support services
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• You are an adult who lives in California.
• You have a new or recurring cancer diagnosis.
• You have already received your FIRST opinion, outlining your current treatment or surgery or you may have already begun your recommended treatment.
• You are able to come to our office in San Francisco for your appointment*.
• You have completed the New Patient Forms and submitted them for review as instructed.
• You or your representative have contacted our office to express your interest in our service.
Please note: This is not an emergency service. If you have a medical emergency, please call your local emergency service or go to your nearest hospital or urgent-care center.
Click on Titles Below to Expand More Content.
How Does it Work?
On the day of the panel, the Panel Chair briefly interviews each patient and then reviews the case material information with the physician panelists, who discuss their thoughts, concerns, and individual recommendations. The patient and their invited family members then join the panel and participate in a discussion whose purpose is to review the situation and their choices, answer their questions, address their concerns, and arrive at clear recommendations. The panel session is recorded and the MP3/CD is emailed/given to the patient to keep.
After the panel, the Panel Chair writes a letter summarizing the consultants’ findings and opinions, which is reviewed by the physician panelists prior to being sent both to the patient and, with the patient’s consent, to the treating physician(s).
The consultation letter can be used as a basis for further discussion between the patient and his or her physicians.
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
Will I Offend My Doctor?
A second opinion is an important part of becoming educated about your cancer and your treatment options.
A good doctor understands that many patients seek another opinion. They will want their patients to feel comfortable and assured before starting treatment. Confidence in your physician and their recommendations insures the best outcome for your treatment. A doctor insulted by your choice to get another opinion may not be someone you’d like to treat with in the future, as this is a common practice.
Often times, the more you can learn about your diagnosis and your treatment options, the better chance you have of receiving the most appropriate treatment. Cancers are now more treatable than ever before, but there are also many more treatment options and more complicated procedures. Getting a second opinion will help you understand these options and help you make an informed decision about which is best for you.
Second opinions will not offend competent physicians. Second opinions will, however, provide necessary reassurance to you and your family and ultimately allow you to receive the most appropriate therapy.
The Forms You’ll Need
If you are approved for a panel appointment, we may have the resources to provide you with an interpreter in your native language if requested.
Instructions:
- Click and download one of the New Patient Form links below in the appropriate language, English, Spanish or Chinese.
- Print and Complete in English.
- Attach all forms to an email and send to mail@thesecondopinion.org, fax: 415-346-8652, snail mail to thesecondopinion, 1200 Gough Street, Mezzanine #500, San Francisco, CA 94109.
- IMPORTANT: Patient signature is necessary on Forms 1 and 3.
- You need Adobe Reader (FREE) to view the documents. Click here to (easily) download it.
New Patient Forms Spanish 2018 PDF
New Patient Forms Chinese 2018 PDF
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.
Most Often Asked Questions by Patients
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 disc (CD-R) for us to record the session. You may also provide your own recording device. 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 digitally recorded, you will receive a disc(CD-R) or MP3 recording of the entire discussion for your review later. We do request that if you would like a disc recording, please bring us a CD-R to record on. 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.