Remote Second Opinions
CommonSpirit Health International™ offers remote second opinions through physician-to-physician consultation services. These services are provided by our medical specialists across a comprehensive array of clinical specialties available within CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the United States. Our goal is to work with international health care organizations to remove geographic barriers so that across the globe, physicians and their patients have access to leading clinical expertise.
Benefits
By collaborating with CommonSpirit Health International, our partners reap the benefits of:
- Access to knowledge and expertise of leading U.S. medical experts and consultants in clinical subspecialty areas
- Potential treatment insights and options that may not be available in local practice
- Joint development of a care coordination plan, including comprehensive support for patients traveling to the U.S. for specialized care
- Access to our international travel logistics center for patients
- Extensive, nationally recognized specialty care expertise
Multidisciplinary teams
CommonSpirit Health International features multidisciplinary teams of medical experts and consultants across all adult specialty care areas, excluding pediatrics. Key areas in which partners often seek our clinical expertise include:
- Cardiovascular services
- Cancer care
- Digestive health
- Neuroscience
- Orthopedics
- Robotic surgery
- Transplant services
The remote second opinion process
Step 1: International case translated and submitted to CSHI
The patient’s medical information (medical history, pathology, lab, and imaging reports, etc.) is translated into English by the international partner. All translated documents and DICOM images are uploaded to our secure, cloud-based platform. Up to five key questions may be submitted for the U.S. consultant physician for response.
Step 2: CSHI case coordinator and physician identified
Once our team receives the request, an assigned case coordinator secures a CommonSpirit-affiliated consultant physician to review the case in the U.S.
Step 3: Remote second opinion rendered
The CommonSpirit-affiliated consultant physician reviews the case and accompanying records. If needed, additional information may be requested. Once the review is complete, a written report is rendered, and an optional video consultation may be coordinated.
Step 4: International physician follow-up and support
Following the written report and any video consultation, the international physician may submit up to three additional questions to the CommonSpirit-affiliated consultant physician for up to 30 days of receiving the written report.
