Pediatric Neurology Second Opinions

Pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) are available to consult with you or your physician. We work with families and clinicians from all over the country and around the world to establish and confirm diagnoses, provide education, and make treatment recommendations so that you can make informed decisions.

HOW TO GET A SECOND OPINION

Here are your options for requesting a second opinion from a pediatric neurologist at CHOP:

  1. Call 215-590-1719 to schedule an appointment.
  2. U.S. residents: See if your child is a candidate for our Online Second Opinion/Consultation Program, which is only allowed in certain states.
  3. Non-U.S. residents: Contact our Global Patient Services team to learn more.

Why and when to get a second opinion from a pediatric neurologist

When your child receives a new neurologic diagnosis or does not have an established diagnosis, a second opinion may provide information you need to understand the diagnosis and make educated decisions about treatment. Families commonly seek second opinions for many reasons, including:

Diagnostic uncertainty

When your child receives a new diagnosis or no clear diagnosis has been established, you likely hope to better understand the problem and make a treatment plan quickly. Getting a second opinion can help establish a diagnosis, provide education regarding established diagnoses, and provide information needed to make informed decisions regarding treatment.

Needing help with a decision to start, stop, or change a treatment plan

It is common to seek a second opinion before your child receives treatment, so you can feel confident in the plan. Another common time to get a second opinion is when a change in treatment has been recommended, or you are seeking additional treatment for a recurrent neurologic issue.

Seeking the opinion of a neurologist with experience treating your child's condition

While your child’s neurologist or neurosurgeon may have experience treating other children with your child's condition, they may wish to obtain a second opinion from a pediatric neurologist or neurosurgeon who is highly experienced with a particular diagnosis, especially when the disease is very rare, or your child's care is complex. CHOP specialists may be aware of new treatment methods or clinical trials. Further, sometimes just hearing information about a diagnosis and management strategy presented in a slightly different way can be educational.

Fax: 215-590-1771