FAQ's

For Patients

1.Why should I opt for doctors at Second Consult?

The services provided by Second Consult are unmatched and unparalleled in the industry.

For Primary/First Consultation:

At Second Consult we have some of the renowned medical practitioners who have been trained from the most prestigious medical colleges and institutes across the globe and can bring their knowledge, expertise, and high-level skill to the use of the people of India and ensure that our fellow countrymen are receiving a world-class diagnosis that is hassle-free and pocket friendly. Availing the services of Second Consult is super easy and user friendly. You can opt for any of the convenient methods available with us to reach out to a doctor of your choice from wherever you are.

You can opt for audio call or video call or simply chat on our forum. You just have to follow a simple registration process and subscribe yourself for all our facilities with a few clicks.

For Second Consultation:

Misdiagnosis has become pretty common these days which is something of serious concern. Studies show that in more than 80% of cases, the primary medical diagnosis has given unfavorable reports and upon consulting a second opinion in several cases have given decisions that have saved the patient’s money, time, and sometimes life. Certain times we do not receive an accurate or satisfying diagnosis during the initial consultation and it is quite normal to seek an expert second opinion, after all, it’s a matter of our health and decisions should be taken with the utmost care and precision. Having multiple doctors review a case leads to a more error-free diagnosis and in turn a better treatment.

Getting an unbiased and explicit second opinion/advice from another expert doctor can help you make smarter decisions, avoid unnecessary treatment/surgery, save money, relieve you of stress in turn giving you peace of mind, and above all save yours or your loved one’s life. We at Second Consult provide you with doctors from around the globe to give you that accurate second opinion.

For Radiology:

Our physicians and doctors are world experts in their respective medical areas. In the case of radiology, most patients do not know who their radiologist is and are not able to directly communicate with her or him. Obtaining a second opinion and discussing your case with a radiologist or another physician can be critical in providing the correct diagnosis, which can mean life or death. Radiology and the rest of medicine have become an extremely complex specialty and usually, one doctor cannot be an expert in all areas. And hence, we at Second Consult are providing you with the most affordable solution to deal with this. You can easily upload your MRI, X-Ray, PET/CT Scan report and get it evaluated by authorized specialists.

2. Why Consult Online when I can visit a hospital/clinic near me?

In today’s world that’s full of uncertainty, for everybody, there has to be a way out to minimize the physical and mental stress required for selecting a doctor/hospital for making an appointment, traveling, waiting in the doctor’s office/hospital, and spending a lot of money. This is where Second Consult comes as a savior. In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, the value of Second Consult has risen several-fold. Here we provide a platform for you to find a doctor of your choice and location and have online second, third or fourth consultation from the comfort of your home. To further emphasize how Second Consult can prove beneficial to you, consider that you have gone to a Family Physician or General Practitioner, have test reports, and you have not understood the disease, test reports, and treatment plan or you are not satisfied or you have doubts and you want another consultation/opinion/advice then Second Consult is for you. You have the option to attach unlimited medical records. All this goes to the doctor of your choice. You would also have the satisfaction that your doctor actually gave you the right consultation/opinion in case if both the diagnoses have given the same result.

We feel online consultation is a step towards the future of medical opinion with the integration of artificial intelligence.

3. What are the facilities available with SecondConsult.com?

With Second Consult you have numerous options to reach out to your desired doctor. You can Phone call or Video Call/Chat or can even simply chat with your doctor on our forum. These facilities will be available 24/7. You just need to book a slot corresponding to your doctor’s availability and pay a nominal fee as the consultation charges. You can choose from any of the ways to suit your convenience.

4. Is my information secure with secondconsult.com?

The best part of Second Consult is that only you and your chosen doctor knows the details about your consultation as we have a policy of not making public any of our patients. We take your data very seriously, as we understand that we all need confidentiality to be maintained regarding our medical records. Hence we take utmost care to ensure that your data is secure and does not fall into the wrong hands. So we use SSL technology to safeguard your data. Our website complies fully with the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA) to ensure that your personal data is encrypted across all levels. Our doctors are trained in information governance and do not share your personal information with any unauthorized third party. Our processes and technical infrastructure guarantee secured and confidential data management.

5. Can I reach out to Second Consult for Emergency?

We would advise caution in emergency situations. Seeking a second opinion or consultation cannot be a substitute for physician consultation in serious and high-risk cases that require an immediate physical examination at a hospital. In such scenarios, you should visit your primary health care center and get it diagnosed. The second Consult should not be used in emergency services. However, our doctors are available round the clock and if you need to reach out to a specific doctor for an emergency, we will definitely do the best we can.

6. Which medical conditions are taken care of at Second Consult?

Although we cater to over 80+ specialties, and we have doctors and specialists who can give advice/opinion and diagnose almost all health problems. To name a few:

  • General Physician.
  • ENT
  • Oncology
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Paediatric
  • Gynaecologist
  • Obstetrician
  • Skin Diseases
  • Cancer
  • Kidney and Urinary Diseases
  • Neurology and so on..

7. What is Tele-radiology?

Tele-radiology facility at an affordable price is the pinnacle of Second Consult’s esteemed services. You can simply upload your radiology images (PET/CT Scan, MRI, X-Rays, Ultrasound, etc.) and our authorized radiologists will evaluate and approve the report which will be followed by thorough interpretation and diagnosis by our highly qualified doctors. The results of which will be delivered in the privacy of your home or wherever it suits you.

8. How long will it take for me to receive a diagnosis report?

For your second consultation, you would be required to upload your earlier reports and test results. Once we receive all the corresponding information, we will make certain to respond to you within 2-3 working days.

You can view your second opinion report on our website which will also be downloadable. You will also receive a mail from our end with the report attached in PDF format if requested.

9. What is the process of consultation with doctors at ‘Second Consult’?

For first time users:

  • Click on the ‘Find a Doctor’ button on the homepage of the website/app, select a specialty or type the name of the doctor directly.
  •  Select the mode of communication.
  • Once you select a doctor, you can click on the “Consult Now’ button to start the online consultation.
  • If you’re looking for a doctor based on your symptoms, you may start by going to the homepage of the website/app. Then click on the ‘Track Symptoms’ tab, search for your symptoms or select a few of them based on your health condition. Click ‘Show Doctors’, select a doctor and click on the ‘Consult Now’ button to start the online consultation.

For regular usage:

  • Create your patient account on secondconsult.com
  • Fill in the form provided to you.

Share your history and questions with the expert.

You can even upload unlimited documents including doctor’s prescriptions, laboratory reports, etc. for your doctor’s perusal.

10. For How Long Can I Speak With a Doctor?

Once you book an online consultation on our app, you will get 15 minutes to speak to the doctor. This window can, however, change according to your health condition and the number of queries you have.

11. How Do I Book a Follow-Up Session with the Same Doctor?

To book a follow-up session use the same procedure as was done for the initial consultation booking.

12. What information do I need to give if I opt for a second opinion from doctors at ‘Second Consult’?

In order to provide you with a precise second opinion, our practitioners and clinicians will require the following information.

A detailed history of events. This will include your current medical issues, the duration of symptoms, and specific information depending on the symptoms experienced. These will be detailed on the online forms relevant to your case. We may also require details about other medical conditions or surgeries you have had in the past including your medications, any conditions that run in the family, and your occupation. These are all standard questions asked by doctors in order to correctly diagnose your medical condition with a high degree of accuracy.

In addition to this, we may also require your latest blood/urine test results and any previous test results you have access to. This will help us in looking at trends in various areas including kidney functions, infection markers, and inflammatory responses.

Finally, imaging and X-rays are a key tool for doctors in precisely accessing your clinical issue. With teleradiology, you can upload your radiology reports which will then be evaluated by our authorized radiologists.

13. Where is the prescription for my online consultation?

You can find your prescription for your online consult on the ‘Health Records’ tab. Once you click on this tab, you will be able to view/download your prescription by clicking on the ‘Consults & Rx’ tab.

14. Will My Online Consultation be covered in my Health Insurance?

To know if your online consultation is covered in your health insurance policy, you will need to get in touch with your insurance provider. They will be able to guide you on the same.

15. Is the Prescription generated by the doctor during online consultation valid?

Yes. The prescription generated during the online consultation is as good as a physical prescription and will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue (as per government regulations).

16. How do I pay for Online Consultations?

Online consultations are prepaid and the payment can be made by either of the given ways – Paytm, Debit/Credit Card, and Netbanking.

17. Will I get a refund if I cancel the Online Consultation?

Yes. If you cancel the online consultation, the refund for the same will reflect in your account within 5 to 7 working days. Refunds will be made to the original mode of payment.

18. What Happens if my call gets disconnected during the consultation?

If your audio/video call gets disconnected during the online consultation, you would receive another call within a few minutes provided your internet connection is stable.

19. What do I do if I miss the consultation call from the doctor?

If you’ve missed a call from the doctor, you can go to the chat window and request a call by simply chatting with the doctor. In case the doctor is unavailable, you can reschedule the consultation.

For further queries, you can reach out to our helpdesk.

19. Have questions about Tele-Radiology? We will help you…

Why should I get a remote radiology opinion?

This need has arisen due to the current pandemic situation prevailing around the world. Depending on your location, your availability, or your ability to travel, your accessibility to highly specialized care may be limited. Our teleradiology service brings authorized radiology experts directly to you and your physician without requiring you to spend time and money on traveling. In addition to this, most radiologists and imaging centers do not offer a convenient second opinion service.

How shall I determine the authenticity of the Radiology report received from ‘Second Consult’?

Our radiologists are authorized and know their job well. They will thoroughly interpret your study and issue a detailed, informative and definitive (when possible) written report of their findings. If requested, we will compare your test to previous radiology exams you’ve had.

Our radiologists will comment on the quality of the exam and recommend a repeat study if the quality is not adequate. This will ensure that you receive the most authentic diagnosis for your medical condition.

We will also make a specific recommendation for further course of action or follow-up examination.

How can I send my Radiology reports?

In case you are reaching out to us for a second opinion for your radiology report that you have already taken, then you can upload the same on our website which will then be sent to our radiologist who will thoroughly examine it and write a report on it which will be forwarded to your respective physician for further evaluation. You can also upload the original report as well as any previous imaging reports. If you have fast internet, uploading will also not take much time.

What if I am not able to upload my radiology reports?

Do not worry.. we have alternate options for you. You can upload JPEG files for some specific reports which have only a limited amount of images like X-Rays. But make sure that the clarity of the image is high so that our radiologist will not find it tedious to give the accurate interpretation.

You can also email your reports to us. You can even send the report copied into a CD/DVD or Flash Drive and couriered to us through the various delivery apps the cost for which will have to be incurred by the patient.

Alternatively, you can ask your center from where you have taken the tests, to upload the images for you or send us a CD/DVD.

How soon can I expect my Radiology Report?

You will receive your report within 24 hours (or up to 48-72 hours in case of complex cases), after we successfully receive your images. There is no extra fee for expedited reports! This is a self-pay service and these services are currently not covered by insurance.

How can I check the status of my Report?

You can track the progress of your examination through your registered account with us until your report is received.

Can I talk to the Radiologist directly?

Absolutely Yes. For a nominal fee, the radiologist or clinician will give you a consultation and explain the findings on your imaging study as well as discuss and explain your condition in general terms. In addition to this our radiologists will respond to your physician’s inquiry typically within the same day.

Disclaimer: 

Please note that our medical doctors cannot form a doctor-patient relationship over the phone and since they do not know your full medical history, all consultations are general in nature and serve as opinions only. It is strongly recommended that you speak with your own doctor regarding definitive treatment options and recommendations.

For Doctors

1.How do I get started on Consult?

2. How can I enter my bank details?

3. What all features are available to me to consult online?

We understand if you’re a bit apprehensive about how to convey a warm, caring bedside manner diagnosis, without seeing the patient in person. Don’t worry, we have a few features that’ll help you make the patient feel at ease, and help you consult online effortlessly.

  • Calling the patient: Hearing your voice will make the patient feel at ease, and you will be able to converse easily to elicit the patient’s history without typing a single word. Your number will not be shared with the patient, and neither will you be billed for the call. We’ve taken care of everything else, so you can focus on taking care of the patient.
  • Sharing images: The patient can share images with you in the chat, so you can take a closer look, and diagnose more accurately.
  • Prescriptions: With digital signatures, and a massive directory of drugs, generating an online prescription is easier than ever.
  • Quick questions: Repeating the same questions feels cumbersome? We’ve made it easy with this feature. We have preset 4 questions doctors commonly ask, so just select one and send it to the patient.

4. Are there any rules/guidelines I need to adhere to when consulting online?

5. I am done with my consultation when will I receive my fees?

Firstly, congratulations! How was your experience? We hope everything went well! Your fees will be sent to the provided bank account after your consultation. You should receive the money in a few days, as processing sometimes takes up to 3-4 working days. You will also receive a settlement report on your registered email address with particulars of the payment, so you can keep track of payments easily.

6. I am unable to diagnose the patient online. What should I do?

We understand not all conditions can be diagnosed online, and sometimes you just need to see the patient in person. If the patient is nearby, you can schedule an appointment for them. Doctors usually do not charge extra for this, as the patient has already paid them online. If the patient is unable to visit you, you can cancel the consultation, and refund the amount back to the patient.

7. Does the Second Consult record the audio/video call done during the consultation?

As per regulatory requirements, all audio and video calls done during an online consultation will be recorded and stored in a secure manner. The audio calls will be shared with the patient at the end of the consultation. The video calls are recorded, but will not be shared with you or the patient. They will only be shared with a competent authority upon explicit request, in case of a medico-legal requirement. They may be reviewed for quality assurance by an in house medical expert at Second Consult.