“Second Opinion” Services
For patients of certain illnesses currently being treated at other institutions, we offer “second opinion” outpatient consultations for those patients who would like a third-party professional’s view of their current medical condition and treatment plan. Our doctors will review the medical information provided in the referral letter from your current doctor, and offer a written opinion that can then be submitted, if you so desire, back to your current caregiver.
Please note that during Second Opinion consultations, no new testing or treatments will be offered. If you desire to be treated at Ashikaga Red Cross Hospital, you should simply make a standard outpatient appointment, and bring the referral letter from your doctor stating this.
Eligible Persons
- The patient themselves
- The following patient relatives, if they have a signed permission letter from the patient: spouse, child, spouse of a child, parent (actual or in-law), sibling (actual), sibling (in-law, only if living with patient)
** If none of the above relatives exist or are available, or if the patient is unable to express their wishes, than a family member who is a direct caregiver of the patient or in a similar relationship is acceptable.
Ineligible Persons
- Persons unable to produce a referral letter from their current doctor
- Persons wishing to express dissatisfaction with their current doctor or associated costs, or wanting consultation related to possible malpractice or a related lawsuit
- Persons wishing to be admitted or to be treated at this hospital
- Persons requiring consultation on a condition that is not treated at this hospital
- Persons requesting opinions about treatments for previous conditions
- Other consultations for which we are unable to issue opinions
Eligible Conditions and Attending Physicians
Department
| Physician
| Condition
|
General Surgery
| Dr. Takayuki Takahashi
| Stomach cancer
|
Dr. Hideyuki Tokura
| Breast cancer
| |
Dr. Masato Fujisaki
| Liver cancer
| |
Bile duct cancer
| ||
Pancreatic cancer
| ||
Otolaryngology (ear, nose, throat)& Head/Neck Surgery
| Dr. Shunichi Sasaki
| Pharyngeal (throat) cancer
|
Laryngeal cancer
| ||
Oral/tongue cancer
| ||
Thyroid cancer
|
Consultation Time and Charges
Second Opinion consultations are not covered by medical insurance
- The consultation period is a maximum of 60 minutes
- The charge for a consultation is 20,000 yen
Steps to Making a Second Opinion Consultation Appointment
1. Call Us
Either the patient or their family should call us and explain their request. Our staff will explain what documents will be necessary. All Second Opinion consultations are done on an appointment-only basis.
2. We mail you the necessary documents
This will include the application form as well as the required permission letter if someone other than the patient themselves will be speaking with the doctor
3. You return the necessary documents
This can be by mail or fax. Faxes can be sent Monday-Friday, 8:45am to 5:00pm or 1st, 3rd or 5th Saturdays from 8:45am to 12:30pm. Please contact us beforehand when faxing documents. We will call you back to confirm receipt.
4. We call you to confirm your appointment date and time
Our staff will reach you by telephone to confirm the possible date and time for your appointment. If it is acceptable, we will mail you a printed appointment confirmation later
5. Come to the hospital for your consultation
When you arrive, come to the Community Coordination Office in the Patient Flow Management Center on the 1st floor of the hospital. Please understand that in some unfortunate cases, emergency situations could make your doctor suddenly unavailable.
Things to bring for your consultation
- Referral letter from your current physician
- Documents requested during your appointment consultation (varies by condition)
- If you are not the patient, the permission form signed by the patient as well as some form of personal identification (driver’s license, etc.)
Opinion Submission
The day of your appointment, we will prepare and give to you an opinion form which you can submit to your current doctor
Contact Information
PFM Community Coordination Office TEL:0284-21-0121 FAX:0284-21-4135 (direct)
Consultation times: Monday-Friday 8:45am-5pm; 1st, 3rd or 5th Saturdays from 8:45am to 12:30pm;
Closed: 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays, Dec 29 to Jan 3 and July 1
Consultation times: Monday-Friday 8:45am-5pm; 1st, 3rd or 5th Saturdays from 8:45am to 12:30pm;
Closed: 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays, Dec 29 to Jan 3 and July 1