Posted November 17, 2010 - 5:10pm by Tracy
Do online ratings for docs tell the full story?
As more and more people turn to review sites like Yelp.com for information on local restaurants and businesses, many want the same luxury when looking up health care providers.
If you are looking for a doctor without a referral, would you seek out the opinion of an anonymous stranger?
Websites like Angie’s List, Vitals and Healthgrades are banking on you answering “yes” to this question, while many physicians believe these ratings are unfair and incomplete.
This debate has flared as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Zagat, well-known for publishing restaurant guidebooks, have partnered and are preparing to release a new online rating system for Illinois physicians at the end of November. Although the website is designed to give consumers a fairer, more comprehensive assessment of physicians, critics, including the American Medical Association, argue that online rating will continue to provide consumers with manipulated or inaccurate ratings that could hurt doctors’ reputations.
Health reporter and blogger Julie Deardorff reported on this controversy in the Chicago Tribune this week:
"While more than 30 different online services now grade doctors, assessing a doctor's skills has turned out to be much more complicated and controversial than ranking hotels or restaurants. Critics say that most sites have too few reviews per doctor to offer statistically significant information, and the medical establishment has vocally questioned the concept…
Rating proponents say consumer reviews can identify competent practitioners, pressure physicians to improve and provide an overall assessment of the health care system…"
What is your take?
To learn more and read the full story, “Doctors: Web ratings flawed’‘ and then please join the discussion below.
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