What records should I send before a remote second opinion or record review?
Send a concise case summary, the key source records, recent labs, imaging reports and images when requested, pathology or procedure notes, medication list, and a clear question list.
Second-opinion preparation is not the opinion itself. A packet can be assembled manually or with MedDossier, but the clinical review must come from the qualified clinician or program.
Build the packet around the review question
Write the exact review question in patient language without asking the packet to decide care.
Add a timeline of major events and link each event to source records.
Include the most recent and most relevant reports before older background records.
Separate confirmed source facts from patient-stated context and questions.
Review the packet before sending and remove unrelated records that are outside the purpose.
Remote review checklist
One page with purpose, key dates, current status, and known missing items.
Discharge notes, clinic letters, pathology, procedure notes, imaging reports, and lab results.
Written imaging reports plus image access instructions if requested.
A short list of questions for the reviewing clinician, not a requested answer inside the packet.
Common mistakes
- Uploading every record without explaining the review question.
- Leaving out pathology or imaging reports because the file set looks too large.
- Combining patient interpretation with source facts.
- Assuming a prepared packet means the case has been accepted for review.
Boundary
This page is not medical advice and does not provide a second opinion. It only explains how to prepare records for a clinician or program to review.
FAQ
How long should the summary be?
Keep the first summary short, usually one page, and use the index to point to detailed source records.
Should I include old records?
Include old records when they explain diagnosis history, procedures, pathology, imaging comparisons, or medication changes. Otherwise mark them as background.
Can the packet ask for treatment choices?
The patient can list questions for the clinician, but the packet itself should not present a treatment recommendation.
Related questions
External sources
Last updated: 2026-07-07