[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]USARAD Holdings Inc., a leading U.S. Joint Commission Accredited teleradiology and telemedicine solutions provider recently released a new version of SecondOpinions.com featuring Web 2.0 technology. Today SecondOpinions.com announced that its new mobile app, Second Opinions-Health Genius for Android and Apple stores is now available. The app is powered by an automated proprietary algorithm to calculate the risk for any patient developing specific diseases or medical conditions. The SecondOpinions.com App asks a series of engaging questions about particular diseases or conditions that the user selects.

The algorithm is fed by a combination of genetic, environmental and demographic data, including age, gender, ethnicity, family history and exposure to certain environmental factors. Information received from more detailed questionnaires including genetics data is also available for certain diseases. Genetic information is critical as individualized DNA sequence information is now becoming affordable and widely available.

The SecondOpinions.com App debuted with several hundred of the most common diseases and conditions from which patients can choose. The database of diseases will rapidly grow with time as new conditions are added daily. Additionally, genetics data will be widely expanded.

“By using our Health Genius App, we will help millions of people make better choices pertaining to their health”, said Michael Yuz, MD, MBA, CEO and Founder of SecondOpinions.com. Knowing your risk factors for important and lethal diseases change the way people think about their health and this ultimately results in positive behavior modification. There will be a significant positive global affect with healthier people and decreased healthcare costs.

In addition to risk prediction and assessment, images accompany many medical conditions for visual evaluation. Users are able to immediately research medical conditions including symptoms, diagnostic information, prevention and treatment options. Patients are also able to connect to some of the top expert physicians in any specialty and subspecialty for written, telephone and video consultations. Research has shown that disease prevention, as well as, obtaining early second opinions eliminates medical errors, prevents unnecessary procedures and surgeries and ultimately decreases medical costs.

SecondOpinions.com is taking advantage of web 2.0 technology, state-of-the-art upgraded platform utilizing HTML5 code. Included in this new and improved service are native voice recognition features that work with Chrome browser. A sophisticated search engine with artificial intelligence features learns and improves searches with time which makes navigating the site even easier. These new features coupled with a cloud-based platform enables users to quickly and securely acquire, manage, and distribute imaging and other medical data.

SecondOpinions.com connects patients globally to top U.S. physicians in any specialty and sub-specialties. Within hours, patients receive a second opinion from a board certified physician. Patients simply upload their DVD images (MRI, CT etc.) to a HIPAA regulated, secure, confidential platform and receive a report in the privacy of their own home or office. Obtaining a second opinion decreases medical errors, saves lives, and keeps healthcare costs down by preventing unnecessary surgeries and procedures. It gives patients the peace of mind they need and deserve. Quality assurance techniques such as second opinions will soon be mandated under The Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.