Using Telehealth to Get a Second Opinion for IBD Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch IBD How to Use Telehealth to Get a Second Opinion for IBD Telemedicine makes it easy to connect with gastroenterologists and other GI specialists for a second — or third or fourth — opinion. By Jessica MigalaMedically Reviewed by Kareem Sassi, MD Reviewed: March 1, 2021 Medically Reviewed Seeking a second opinion? With telehealth, another gastroenterologist is just another click away.Getty Images Prior to the pandemic, telehealth — virtual doctor appointments — was already being used, but whether you personally tapped into it or not largely depended on your insurance and where you lived. (State laws governing access to care varied.) Plus, for most people, in-person appointments were the norm.Then everything changed. “When the pandemic started, telemedicine replaced virtually all in-person visits,” says One bonus of telemedicine: It can be easy to find and visit specialists and other doctors, especially if you’re looking for a second opinion. How Telehealth Can Help You Get a Second Opinion If you’re newly diagnosed with IBD and seeking a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis or you’ve had IBD for years and are looking for a second opinion about which treatment to pursue next, telehealth may be able to help. Telemedicine can connect people to specialists located hundreds of miles away, which is not always easy, or even possible, to do in person. “One-third of our patients travel 50 or more miles away to come to us for their appointment,” says Dr. Cross.What’s more, if you are seeking a second opinion at a large IBD center, you will also have access to comprehensive care, including dietitians, psychologists, social workers, and surgeons (if necessary). For many people an IBD diagnosis is straightforward, confirmed by imaging, endoscopy, Combining In-person and Virtual IBD Visits Seeking a second opinion doesn’t mean you will be abandoning your current doctor. You can make a complete switch if you’d like, but you can also continue to see your local family practitioner or gastroenterologist as the anchor of your day-to-day care. “For patients who live in areas where there are no specialists, I urge them to join up with their local GI doctor or internist so I, too, can partner with the doctor,” says Dr. Marion. This will streamline your treatment. For example, you might meet with your primary doctor first and then see the specialist for a virtual appointment. If imaging or other tests are ordered, your primary doctor can facilitate that. You can then access a specialist’s knowledge and resources without having to leave your area. Try to resist getting so much input from doctors that you feel overwhelmed. With telehealth, it can be less burdensome to get several more opinions, hoping you’ll find the perfect solution to your treatment question. “It’s possible to get too many opinions, which can make it hard to move forward and make a decision,” says Cross. “If you see 10 specialists, you might get seven opinions. There’s no recipe for care; there is an art and nuance to it,” he says. Prepare for the second-opinion telehealth appointment in advance so you can make the most of it. “The time you save on the drive to the appointment should be spent in preparation for the meeting itself,” says Marion. Here are some ways to do just that.Give the doctor some background information. This includes not only your health records, but also a summary of your health history. “Your health history is about 90 percent of what gets you to a diagnosis,” says Marion. While tests are crucial to confirm what the doctor suspects, telehealth lends itself particularly well to the doctor-patient conversation. Ask yourself what your backstory is with IBD (or potential IBD) and how your symptoms impact your quality of life and ability to function day to day.Know your goals. Tell the physician what your first doctor said, including what you disliked about the diagnosis or what you want clarified. You should also speak up about what you want for your future, whether that’s avoiding surgery, minimizing symptoms, or something else.Recruit a partner. Ask a trusted family member or friend to jump on the call if you’d like. Telemedicine makes it even easier to connect with others, as your loved one doesn’t even need to be in the same household as you. Just make sure you announce to the doctor everyone who is on the call. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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