As featured in the Huffington Post

This year, millions of Americans will undergo radiology scans to help pinpoint a health problem they’re experiencing. Patients increasingly want more information about what’s happening in their bodies, so it’s not surprising that the number of scans performed in the U.S. has quadrupled over the past decade. What is surprising is that most patients have never met the doctors who actually read those scans nor understand what radiologists do. As a result, many patients aren’t getting all the information they need to make the most informed decisions about their care.

As a radiologist, I’ve interpreted tens of thousands of scans in my 12-year career. In most cases, I pass the information on to the ordering physician, who then relays that interpretation to the patient. Often times, the patient has follow up questions, so I try to work as closely as possible with physicians to provide them with the answers they need.

Unfortunately, these lines of communication aren’t always that open, leaving patients unsure of where to turn when they don’t understand what they’ve been told or what diagnosis they’re facing. A recent study out of Indiana University found that two-thirds of patients who underwent a CT scan had little to no idea what radiologists do. As a result, it’s difficult to know whether the information we provide aligns with what patients need to make good decisions.

Luckily, there is a growing recognition among radiologists that this needs to change. Last year, the Radiological Society of North America launched a physician-directed initiative to improve communication with patients and better connect radiology practice with patients’ needs and best interests.

There are also a growing number of radiologists, including myself, who are using digital technology to come out from the behind the scenes and communicate directly with patients. Using a computer, patients can now upload their scans to secure sites and talk one on one with some of the nation’s leading radiologists about their scans. Often times, these second looks will confirm a diagnosis. Other times, they catch mistakes, prevent unnecessary procedures and ease anxiety. In all cases, they empower patients with more information.

As radiology increasingly plays a central role in our health care system, we need to make sure the information patients receive is clear, accurate and useful in their decision-making process. Providing them more opportunities to interact with the doctors who actually read their scans will only help to make that process even more meaningful.

Dr. Greg Goldstein of MetisMD is a leading Chicago-based radiologist.

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As featured in the PR Web

MetisMD, the leading provider of online second opinions in radiology, announced today it has teamed up with Arizona-based, Naturopathic Specialists, LLC, to provide cancer patients around the world with more information about their condition so they can pursue the right course of treatment. The pairing will give Naturopathic Specialists’ patients access to MetisMD’s network of top U.S. radiologists. They can upload their scans and within 24-48 hours will talk through a comprehensive analysis of the findings with a MetisMD physician.

“MetisMD is committed to arming patients with the information they need to make better decisions about their treatment, which in turn helps physicians like Dr. Rubin be more effective in putting them on the path to wellness,” said MetisMD founder and CEO Dr. Gregory Goldstein. “Accessing great health care today is hard and we want to make it as easy as possible for patients to have all the answers they need.”

According to Naturopathic Specialists’ Medical Director and board certified naturopathic oncologist, Dr. Dan Rubin, many of his patients, who come to him seeking alternative or integrative treatments, have an incomplete understanding of their condition, which this collaboration seeks to remedy.

Rubin said, “Patients come to me because they want to use all the tools and treatments available to them to get better. In order to do that, we need a complete picture of their condition. That’s what this collaboration with MetisMD will help us accomplish and I’m excited to work with them on behalf of better patient care.”

MetisMD allows patients to upload their radiology scans from anywhere in the world and speak one on one with a leading U.S. radiologist about their findings. Since launching a little more than a year ago, the service has made a difference for countless patients in the US and abroad.

MetisMD is an online second opinion service that provides patients with direct access from anywhere in the world to a network of leading radiologists who can offer an accurate, thorough and high-quality analysis of their tests, ensuring that they have the necessary information to pursue the most beneficial treatment options. The subspecialty interpretations feature high quality, detailed, well-written reports from the best radiologists in their field of expertise, including Neuroradiology, Orthopedic/Musculoskeletal Imaging, Body Imaging (ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-ray) and Women’s Imaging (breast and gynecologic imaging).

See this link for more information: MetisMD Radiologists Team Up With Naturopathic Specialists To Improve Patient Care

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“Injuries happen and an accurate diagnosis is key to overcoming them,” said Dr. Gregory Goldstein, Founder and CEO of MetisMD. “We’re excited to team up with CARA to make sure that Chicago runners have all the information they need to pursue the right course of treatment and get back to training for their next big race.”

MetisMD will also participate in CARA training sessions to help educate runners about ways to prevent injuries in the first place. “One of the most important things we do is to make sure that our runners are not only achieving their goals, but doing so safely,” said Wendy Jaehn, CARA’s Executive Director. “It’s with this key mission that we welcome MetisMD to the CARA family. We know this will make a huge difference in helping our runners’ achieve their individual potential.”

MetisMD allows patients to upload their radiology scans from anywhere in the world and speak one on one with a leading U.S. radiologist about their findings. Since launching a little more than a year ago, the service has already made a difference for Chicago-area runners, among many others.

“I hurt my knee training for a marathon last year and didn’t know if I was looking at a career-ending injury,” said Chicago runner Jen Routman, a MetisMD patient. “I sent my scans to the doctors at MetisMD on a Friday morning and I knew that evening whether or not I could do a 20-mile training the next morning. I had a diagnosis, and solid information to take back to my physician. As a result, I was eventually able to continue my training and complete the marathon.”

To learn more about upcoming trainings, visit www.cararuns.org.

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MetisMD, a division of MetisMD Pro, is an online second opinion service that provides patients with direct access from anywhere in the world to a network of leading radiologists who can offer an accurate, thorough and high-quality analysis of their tests, ensuring that they have the necessary information to pursue the most beneficial treatment options. Our subspecialty interpretations feature high quality, detailed, well-written reports from the best radiologists in their field of expertise, including Neuroradiology, Orthopedic/Musculoskeletal Imaging, Body Imaging (ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-ray) and Women’s Imaging (breast and gynecologic imaging).

The Chicago Area Runners Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand, motivate, support, and celebrate the running community of Chicagoland. CARAconnects runners to the resources that enable them to run – farther, faster, better, for life. Please visit www.cararuns.org for more information.

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As featured in the PR Web

The link below discusses important questions you should ask your doctor when he/she wants to order a radiology exam for you.  It’s important that patients understand the role of the radiologist, and our significance as it relates to their overall health care.  Studies have shown that many people don’t know who reads/interprets their radiology exam – some people thing it’s a nurse, technician, or the doctor that orders the exam.

The radiologist is a fully trained “M.D.” that spends at least 5 years in residency learning how to read medical imaging tests.  Many physicians need help figuring out the right scan to order and whether or not to use contrast/dye.  Additionally, not all radiology equipment is the same.  MRI machines, for example, can be very different – so that a knee MRI on one type of machine can look very different from another.  It’s important that you and your doctor realize this – and it’s equally important that the radiologist consult with your doctor, especially on cases that are complicated or not straightforward.

The bottom line is that it’s essential that the radiologist is included as part of the health care team, so that patients and their doctors have the most important information to help with diagnoses and treatment plans.

See this link for more information:  Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Radiology Exam

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As featured in the Crain’s Chicago Business

This Chicago medical startup is all about second opinions. The company connects patients from anywhere in the world with a network of U.S. radiologists, who provide a second opinion on patient scans, including MRIs, CT scans, X-rays and mammograms. Patients upload their scans and receive live feedback from a radiologist within 48 hours. “This empowers patients,” said MetisMD’s founder and CEO, Dr. Greg Goldstein. “Almost every patient says our information is much better than what they got before. It helps them understand it better.” Patients pay MetisMD directly for its services, but Dr. Goldstein says they can seek reimbursement from an insurance company. MetisMD, which started a year ago and relaunched its website this summer, has served patients from all over the U.S. as well as far-flung locations from Eastern Europe to South America, Dr. Goldstein said.

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Imaging definitely needs to be better controlled – and the radiologist needs to play a larger role in educating the ordering physicians, and also changing their own habits.

As an informed and empowered patient, you should be aware of this. If additional tests were recommended, it can’t hurt to double check with your physician about their necessity – or to get a second opinion.

Article link: Inappropriate and Overuse of Medical Imaging Tests on the Rise

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Getting a second opinion on a scan – or having it re-read – can sometimes help avoid an unnecessary test. It is possible that the original recommendation was too aggressive or advised a followup regimen that isn’t warranted. Sometimes radiologists recommend additional scans when they aren’t needed. Having someone take a second look can’t hurt – and it may actually help reduce harmful radiation exposure.

Read Full Article

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Second opinions in medicine are very important – as patients’ diagnoses are not always clear cut.  In these circumstances, a second – or even third opinion – can be very helpful and shed some light on the diagnostic possibilities.

Most people who get a second opinion make an appointment to see another doctor or health care provider.  They go to the doctor’s office and get a new physical exam, possibly new tests, evaluations, etc.  The other option is to seek a medical second opinion online.  Many online second opinion services are limited in that the doctors must rely on the medical records from other doctors, since they do not see the patient.  Relying on the original doctors’ physical exam findings limits the objectiveness of the second opinion.

Radiology second opinions are different.  We do “see” the patient in a virtual sense – or at least see pictures of them.  There is no need to rely on, or be biased by, other doctors’ exams or reports – it’s a much more objective assessment.  Since diagnostic medical imaging is so prevalent today, most people searching for a second opinion have likely had at least one type of radiology exam.  The careful review and interpretation of these images is crucial to diagnosing the patient and can be a critical part of the diagnostic puzzle.  Frequently, the answer is on the images.  However, if the diagnosis isn’t clear, the information obtained from the images is extremely important in ruling out other pathology and can help narrow down the possible diagnoses.

The radiology exam – whether a MRI, CT (cat scan), x-ray, mammogram, PET scan, etc – contains a lot of important information.  Doctors are human, and sometimes findings are overlooked.  If a patient has any doubts about his/her diagnosis, having a radiology exam re-reviewed is very important.  At the very least, it could give you peace of mind that the original diagnosis is correct and that nothing important was overlooked.

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As featured in the Aunt Minnie

A new company based in Chicago, MetisMD, is bridging the radiologist-patient divide by offering second-opinion services to the public. But does providing such service actually expand opportunities for radiologists, or does it contribute to the erosion of radiology’s autonomy?

See this link for more information: MetisMD offers radiology 2nd opinions directly to patients

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As featured in the Health Imaging

For years, radiology leaders have exhorted radiologists to get out of the reading room and communicate with clinicians. More recently, the message has extended to include patients, evidenced by the American College of Radiology’s Face of Radiology campaign to educate patients about the role of radiologists in the healthcare process. Some have lobbied for direct communication of radiology results to patients. Yet, for many patients, radiologists remain invisible, anonymous and silent.

A new model attempts to address the problem. Chicago-based radiology services provider MetisMD aims to meet patients’ communication needs by providing online access to U.S. radiologists for patients willing to pay for a radiology second opinion.

Patients can securely upload their medical imaging exams directly from the website, receive a second opinion report in 24-48 hours, as well as discuss and review the findings with a board-certified radiologist, according to a MetisMD release.

Radiologists have a PR problem, Gregory Goldstein, MD, president and CEO of MetisMD, told Health Imaging . “They aren’t used to talking to patients.” As patients become more involved in their healthcare, some have questions about their imaging studies. Most radiologists aren’t used to these requests. It’s typical for radiologists to refer patients back to the ordering physician, who may not have the time or knowledge to review complex advanced imaging studies with the patient.

MetisMD aims to supplement physicians with its PatientConnect program, which costs $250 for an MRI, CT or mammogram and $150 for ultrasounds or x-rays. The fee includes a 15-minute phone consultation with the radiologist to discuss the findings and a one-year subscription to CloudConnect, a secure image vault where patients can store, manage and share their exams. MetisMD requests patients who use its services share the report with physicians, said Goldstein.

“Radiologists need to speak to patients—it’s time to step away from the computer screens and start interacting directly with patients. It’s essential for people to understand the central role radiologists play in healthcare—and how our interpretations are a critical piece of the diagnostic puzzle,” said Goldstein.

See this link for more information: No time to talk with patients? Online provider markets second opinions

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