How to prepare for a second opinion: which reports and images to bring
A patient wanting another doctor's opinion is a situation the Code of Professional Conduct refers to (Medical Council, Code of Professional Conduct for the Guidance of Registered Medical Practitioners, paragraph 19.1, October 2022). To prepare, you can bring your previous medical reports, test reports and image discs, and a list of the medicines you are taking.
What does the Medical Council's Code say about second opinions?
When a patient wants another doctor's opinion, the doctor consulted may comment frankly on a colleague's practice, provided that the comment is carefully considered, well-founded, made in good faith and in the patient's interest (Medical Council, Code of Professional Conduct for the Guidance of Registered Medical Practitioners, paragraph 19.1, October 2022). For the Chinese and English for second opinion, see Second opinion in English.
What should I bring for a second opinion?
Compiled by this site: the table below shows information commonly brought and how to get it; you can ask when booking which information the new doctor needs.
| Information | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Medical report written by a doctor | Request it from the original hospital or doctor; the ways to apply, the time limits and the fees are in how to get your own medical records, reports and images |
| Copies of medical records (for example outpatient and inpatient records, laboratory reports) | Request it from the original hospital or doctor; the public and private systems each have their own procedure, see how to get your own medical records, reports and images |
| Images (discs, X-ray films or memory sticks) | Request it from the original hospital or doctor, stating the report and the images separately, see how to get your own medical records, reports and images |
| eHealth records | If the healthcare provider the new doctor belongs to has joined eHealth, you can give that provider sharing consent, and it can then view the records within the sharable scope |
| List of medicines you are taking | Make your own list or bring your medicine bags |
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring for a second opinion?
Compiled by Book a Doctor: commonly a medical report written by a doctor, copies of medical records, test reports and image discs, and a list of the medicines you are taking; if the healthcare provider the new doctor belongs to has joined eHealth, you can also give sharing consent so that it can view the records within the sharable scope.