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Partner Spotlight: Hikos helps people better understand medical conditions
Anyone facing a medical decision or feeling stuck in a care process may need additional explanation and an independent perspective. Do I really understand my situation? What options are available? For clients who need additional clarification or an independent medical specialist’s perspective, Private Health Services collaborates with Hikos. A Private Health Advisor can identify when questions or doubts arise during a medical process and, through Hikos, involve an independent medical specialist.
This specialist takes a fresh look at a medical situation and makes complex medical information easy to understand. We spoke with Jacqueline Timmermans, a physician and founder of Hikos, about the importance of understandable medical information and why greater insight often leads to more trust and better-suited choices.
Greater certainty regarding a diagnosis or treatment
Many people turn to Hikos because they still have questions after speaking with their doctor. Not because the explanation was insufficient, but because a consultation often involves a flood of information all at once. “A diagnosis or treatment proposal can be very unsettling,” says Jacqueline Timmermans. “People are grappling with what a diagnosis means for their lives and, at the same time, have to process medical information. So it’s perfectly logical that questions remain afterward.” According to her, a better understanding of the medical situation helps people, together with their healthcare provider, make choices that align with their individual circumstances.
If questions or doubts remain
Many medical questions can be discussed effectively with one’s own primary care physician or specialist. However, there are situations in which people are left with questions or uncertainty after a consultation with their healthcare provider. Hikos broadly identifies two groups in this regard.
The first consists of people who have already been seen by a medical specialist but have reached an impasse in their care journey and need more clarity. Examples include chronic pain, a long-term rehabilitation process, rheumatism, tinnitus, PMS, long COVID, or long-term chronic infections.
In addition, Hikos’ medical specialists regularly consult with people who are facing treatment decisions. This includes weighing whether or not to undergo surgery for a herniated disc, knee, hip, or prostate. Clients can also turn to Hikos when they need specific medical expertise, such as regarding women’s heart health, disorders of the male reproductive system, or glaucoma.
An independent medical specialist then takes a fresh look at the situation. “Sometimes it helps to explain existing information in a different way. In other cases, we discuss various options, provide questions for a follow-up consultation with the treating physician, or help people better understand their options.”
Personalized care throughout the entire process
After a referral through Private Health Services, a Hikos nurse will contact you within 24 hours to further discuss your request for assistance and determine which specialist is best suited to your situation. This is followed by a consultation with a medical specialist, either by phone or video call. Afterward, both the client and the primary care physician receive a report of the consultation. Even after the consultation, Hikos remains available for additional questions or clarification.
Making informed decisions together
Pressure on the healthcare system is increasing. As a result, there isn’t always enough time for a detailed medical explanation. It is precisely in these situations that additional explanation can help people gain a better understanding of their situation.
Moreover, this does not automatically lead to more care. According to Hikos, about 75 percent of the people who come to them are considering a second opinion. Of that group, about two-thirds decide against it after speaking with the specialist. For some of them, additional explanation and insight prove sufficient to continue within their existing care plan.
For Hikos, that is ultimately what personalized care is all about: not providing as much care as possible, but ensuring that a person understands what is going on and, based on reliable information, can work with their healthcare provider to make a choice that fits their personal situation.
When can Hikos help?
- When you have doubts about a diagnosis or treatment
- When you need an independent medical-specialist perspective
- If you want to better understand medical information
- When you’re stuck in a care process
- When you need specific expertise within a medical specialty
Would you like to know if our partner Hikos can help you with your situation? Contact your Private Health Advisor
About Hikos
Hikos provides access to independent medical specialist expertise for people who have questions about their medical situation. Hikos works with 65 medical specialists across 25 different specialties and a team of nurses who guide clients throughout their care journey.
