If you want a Beijing specialist to review your case — a second opinion, a cardiology review or a neurosurgery review — the single most important step is getting your records and imaging there in a usable form. This guide explains exactly what to prepare and how to send it.
What to gather
- Imaging files in DICOM format — the raw MRI/CT/PET-CT data, not photos of a screen. See how to get DICOM files.
- The radiology reports that go with each scan.
- Recent clinic letters, discharge summaries and operative notes.
- Relevant blood tests and, for heart cases, ECG/echo; for neuro cases, endocrine and visual-field results.
- A current medication list and a short symptom timeline.
- Your passport information page if hospital registration may follow.
For a fuller checklist by case type, see how to prepare medical records for a second opinion.
Why DICOM matters more than a PDF report
A written report is one radiologist's summary; the DICOM images let a Beijing specialist look at the actual scan and re-measure or re-read it. For surgical decisions (brain, spine, heart), reviewers almost always want the DICOM, not just the report.
How to send it
- Export the DICOM to a folder or the original CD/DVD (most hospitals provide a disc or a download link).
- Put the imaging on secure cloud storage (a shared drive link) or copy the DICOM folder — files are large, so a download link is usually easiest.
- Scan reports and letters to PDF, named clearly by date and type.
- Share the link with your coordinator; we confirm the files open and are complete before anything is booked.
- Translation — records in other languages are translated into Chinese for the hospital and an English summary is prepared for you.
A note on privacy and completeness
Send records only through channels you trust, and tell us if anything is missing — an incomplete set is the most common reason a review stalls. We treat your records confidentially and only share what a specialist needs to assess your case.
What happens next
Once your records are complete and translated, we route them to the appropriate Beijing pathway for a written specialist opinion, or to plan an in-person visit. Hospital acceptance and any next steps are decided by the treating specialists. Start a free assessment, or see English report & DICOM and pricing.
The one-page medical summary
One document does more than any other to speed up a review: a one-page summary in plain English. It should state your age, the main problem in one or two sentences, the key dates (diagnosis, surgery, current episode), the specific question you want answered, and a list of the attached files. Specialists read dozens of cases; a clear one-pager tells them what you are asking before they open a single scan. We help write this if you do not have one.
Prior surgery and treatment history
If you have had surgery or a procedure, include the operative notes and any histopathology, plus discharge summaries. For cancer cases, the staging and pathology reports matter as much as the imaging. For heart cases, prior angiography, stent or bypass records; for neuro cases, previous operative notes. A second opinion is only as good as the history behind it — gaps here are the most common reason a reviewer defers a firm view.
Your medication list
Send a current medication list with doses, including anticoagulants (blood thinners), which are critical before any procedure. Do not stop any medication to \"prepare\" for a review without your own doctor's advice. Note allergies and any recent changes.
What Chinese specialists need before a review
In practice, a Beijing specialist wants, at minimum: the DICOM images (not just the report), the radiology and pathology reports, a one-page summary with your question, your surgery/treatment history and a medication list. With a complete set, many reviews can be done on the records alone, without travel. An incomplete set is the single biggest cause of delay.
What a second opinion can — and cannot — tell you
A second opinion can confirm or question a diagnosis, clarify whether surgery is one reasonable option, suggest further tests, and give you a senior specialist's read of your actual images. It cannot guarantee a particular diagnosis, treatment or outcome, replace an in-person examination where one is needed, or serve as emergency care. All clinical decisions rest with the treating hospital specialists, and hospital acceptance is subject to their review.
Frequently asked questions
Can I email DICOM files to a Chinese hospital? DICOM sets are usually too large to email; a secure cloud link or the original disc is the practical route. Your coordinator handles delivery to the hospital.
Do I need to translate my records first? No — we arrange Chinese translation for the hospital and an English summary for you.
Is a report enough, or do I need the images? For most specialist and surgical reviews the DICOM images are important; send both the report and the images where possible.
Will my information be kept private? Yes — records are handled confidentially and shared only as needed for the clinical review.
China MedPass is an independent medical coordination service. We help prepare, translate and route records; we do not provide diagnosis or treatment, and all clinical decisions rest with the treating hospital specialists.