Why Virtual Second Opinions Should Be Part of Your Benefits Strategy
One out of 10 patients with cancer, an infection, or a major vascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, are misdiagnosed each year. These conditions—commonly called the “Big Three”—account for 75% of serious harm resulting from diagnostic error. In 85% of these instances, mistakes in clinical judgment are to blame.
In spite of the advancements made in medicine, misdiagnoses continue to have a major toll. Most Americans will be misdiagnosed at least once, according to research by the Institute of Medicine, whose landmark report, To Err Is Human, projected that medical mistakes lead to 440,000 deaths per year.
The chances of being misdiagnosed are especially high for people with complex medical conditions: 20% of people with serious illnesses are misdiagnosed, a 2017 study found. It’s one reason why interest in second opinions for complex diagnoses is growing—and why health plans and employers should consider virtual second opinions an integral part of their benefits strategy.