• Published on: May 02, 2020
  • 1 minute read
  • By: Dr Vibhash Mishra

Corona, Cricket And Telemedicine

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Corona, cricket and telemedicine

As schoolboys, gossiping about cricket and cinema was our favorite pastime. Decades later when even our children are not school kids anymore, I must confess the nature of our pastime has not become any more serious. The COVID-19 lockdown has inadvertently provided a large chunk of humanity with a rare luxury. Otherwise who has the time in today’s world to stop and stay at home to catch a breath? So catching a breath is what one does these days. Call it reflection and introspection, if you will. 

R Ashwin is considered something of an intellectual in the sport of cricket. The other day I happened to come across an interview in which he says we take sport too seriously. That is the large scheme of things, there are other far more important matters. That sports should be seen in a wider perspective and given a place that is not out of proportion. 

That took me back by several years. To 1980 to be precise when India and England were playing the golden jubilee test. Bob Taylor was given out by the umpire but the Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath thought otherwise and insisted that he was recalled. The rest, as they say, is history. Now Viswanath himself was not an also-ran by any means. Not quite an intellectual like Ashwin, but a batting genius all the same and a giant of a human being. 

We can debate the relative value of intellectuals and good human beings to society but that is not the point of my musing, although, I do believe that the world needs several-fold more good human beings than intellectuals. 

Back to the point, I was closing in on. 
There were curses and kudos for Viswanath. In the midst of all that, the legendary commentator Jasdev Singh made a very poignant remark - Viswanath gave away the game but kept alive the spirit to promote which sporting events are organized in the first place. Now, what is this spirit that Jasdev was referring to? Fairness? Justice? Healthy competition? Honesty? Integrity? But then, are those, not the values the world should be guided by anyway? Would the world not do well to adopt those values in wider life? Would you still say we take sports too seriously? Just reflecting.

Meanwhile, you all stay in and be safe, the principles of which are well-known by now - social distancing and hand hygiene. And don’t ignore your other health issues. It may be months before normalcy is restored. Your medical condition can get worse in the interim. You may think I am encouraging you to visit a hospital and risk being turned down for lack of capacity or catching an infection. I am not. I am asking you to think of an alternative way of seeking medical help. Have you considered telemedicine? Online consultation with a specialist anywhere in the world? Have you heard of www.secondmedic.com? That’s where we are.

Dr. Vibhash Mishra
Chief Medical Officer Second Medic Inc

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Virtual Second Opinion Services India: Making Medical Decisions Safer, Smarter, and More Accurate

Virtual Second Opinion Services India: Making Medical Decisions Safer, Smarter, and More Accurate

Healthcare decisions can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with serious diagnoses, complex treatment options, or long-term health conditions. In India, where diagnostic variability and specialist availability differ across regions, seeking a second medical opinion has become essential for clarity and confidence. Virtual second opinion services India allow patients to consult top specialists online, review diagnoses, validate reports, and confirm treatment plans without traveling long distances.

SecondMedic has emerged as a trusted platform for virtual second opinions, connecting users with experienced specialists across cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, nephrology, endocrinology, and other medical fields. These services empower patients with accurate information and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis or unnecessary treatments.

Why Second Opinions Are Becoming Important in India

According to WHO, nearly 20-30% of medical errors globally stem from misdiagnoses. In India, disparities in medical access and diagnostic quality can make it harder for patients to rely on a single opinion-especially for complex or high-risk conditions.

Patients seek second opinions for:

  • Cancer diagnosis
     

  • Cardiac issues (blockages, angioplasty recommendations)
     

  • Orthopedic surgeries
     

  • Neurological disorders
     

  • Kidney and liver conditions
     

  • Autoimmune diseases
     

  • Rare or chronic illnesses
     

A second opinion ensures that treatment decisions are well-informed and evidence-based.

How Virtual Second Opinion Services Work

Virtual second opinion platforms like SecondMedic make the process simple and accessible.

Steps include:

  1. Uploading medical reports, scans, prescriptions, and lab results.
     

  2. Selecting the specialty or condition.
     

  3. AI tools help summarize and organize the case.
     

  4. A specialist reviews the case in detail.
     

  5. The patient receives a written report or video consultation explaining the recommendations.
     

  6. Follow-up guidance is provided when needed.
     

This digital-first approach saves time and helps patients receive expert evaluations from anywhere in India.

Key Benefits of Virtual Second Opinions

1. Access to Top Specialists

Patients can connect with some of India's best doctors without needing to visit major metro hospitals.

2. Prevention of Misdiagnosis

A fresh review reduces the risk of incorrect or incomplete diagnoses.

3. Verification of Treatment Plans

Before committing to surgery or long-term therapy, patients receive reassurance and clarity.

4. Time and Cost Savings

Virtual reviews eliminate travel, long waiting lines, and high hospital consultation fees.

5. Emotional Confidence

Patients and families gain peace of mind through expert validation of medical decisions.

SecondMedic ensures case reviews are thorough, unbiased, and personalized.

Use Cases Where Second Opinions Make a Big Difference

Oncology

Cancer diagnoses often require multi-specialty inputs. Virtual tumor board reviews help patients choose the right treatment path.

Cardiology

Heart conditions like blockages, angioplasty recommendations, or arrhythmia management require accurate evaluations.

Orthopedics

Joint replacement or spine surgery recommendations often need second validation to avoid unnecessary procedures.

Neurology

Conditions like epilepsy, stroke, or movement disorders benefit from deeper case review.

Chronic Illnesses

Diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and thyroid disorders require long-term management strategies.

Why Virtual Second Opinion Is Better Than In-Person for Many Patients

  • More specialist availability
     

  • Faster review times
     

  • Ability to compare multiple expert opinions
     

  • Digital access to consolidated medical records
     

  • Better accommodation of busy schedules
     

  • Suitable for rural patients with limited access to tertiary care hospitals
     

Digital second opinions remove geographic barriers completely.

The Role of Technology in Second Opinions

AI enhances the clarity and accuracy of second opinions by:

  • Pre-sorting medical documents
     

  • Highlighting abnormalities in lab results
     

  • Summarizing doctor notes
     

  • Identifying missing tests
     

  • Flagging potential medical risks
     

SecondMedic combines AI insights with top specialist expertise, resulting in stronger, data-backed recommendations.

Challenges in India’s Traditional Second Opinion System

  • Long wait times at major hospitals
     

  • Difficulty obtaining complete medical records
     

  • Travel to metro cities
     

  • Lack of specialized doctors in Tier 2/3 cities
     

  • Inconsistent diagnostic quality
     

Virtual second opinion services solve all of these pain points.

Future Outlook

Virtual medical reviews will continue growing with:

  • AI-powered case analysis
     

  • Integration with electronic health records (EHRs)
     

  • Multi-specialty collaborative boards
     

  • Predictive diagnostics
     

  • Global doctor networks
     

SecondMedic aims to lead this space by offering deeper, faster, and more accurate medical reassessments.

Conclusion

Virtual second opinion services India empower patients to make informed, safe, and confident healthcare decisions. By connecting users with top specialists and leveraging AI-driven insights, SecondMedic ensures that every major medical choice is backed by expertise and clarity. This is especially valuable for complex diagnoses, chronic conditions, and surgical recommendations.

To request a virtual second opinion, visit www.secondmedic.com

 

References

  • WHO - Misdiagnosis data and clinical errors
     

  • NITI Aayog - Digital health transformation reports
     

  • ABDM - Digital health records and interoperability
     

  • Statista - Telehealth adoption in India
     

  • Lancet & NEJM - Studies on second opinions
     

  • SecondMedic clinical team insights

See all

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