Online Doctor Ratings - Examining a Physicians Credentials

Author: Hugo Gallegos
Published: 2009/04/14 - Updated: 2013/06/14
Topic: Rehabilitation and Hospitals - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Examines methods of online doctor rating and information about a physicians credentials on the Internet.

Introduction

With so many new sites offering free anonymous doctor ratings and information about physicians credentials, consumers expect to be able to find out everything about their doctors.

Main Item

However, because anybody can sign up and add positive or negative feedback regarding their experience with a particular physician, no patient or potential patients should take these ratings seriously. While they may be helpful, these ratings can easily be manipulated by a patient, doctor, hospital staff, or anybody online; the reality is that, no matter how good, how bad, or how renowned the physician is, every physician will have some negative information, since it's virtually impossible to satisfy everyone.

Whether the ratings on a site are for professionals, products, or service companies, there will be negative information. Even the Goliath Google, which is by far the most successful search engine in the world and, one of the most successful companies in the world, has an unsatisfactory record with the Better Business Bureau.

A Doctors Reputation

Some doctors have begun having their patients sign contracts designed to "respect their physician's privacy on the Internet" by agreeing not to participate in online ratings of doctors. While it's common practice for patients to sign a contract regarding frivolous malpractice lawsuits before they have surgery, these "Internet privacy" contracts are becoming more common because of the ease with which ratings can be manipulated anonymously.

A Better Way

Although the objective factors listed below may not mean much to the average patient, when each category is factored into the total equation, the resulting rating is much more relevant and precise than anonymous ratings.

The average patient cares little about the doctor's license number, expiration date, degree dates, and training dates; however, the database from which this kind of information comes is much more reliable, updated,relevant, and detailed as it relates to a physician's credential, history, and background. Dates that are associated with a doctor's professional history are important because they tie into the experience factor and are much harder to obtain and transfer into a proprietary system, such as a commercial "doctor rating" site.

The Future in Comprehensive Physician Ratings

How It Will Work

In a perfect world, doctor ratings would be unnecessary; however, every physician is unique in his or her own area of expertise/special interest, and having tools to find the right physician - by word of mouth, reliable doctor ratings services, or referrals - will result in an informed patient, which is the best kind of patient there is.

Reference: Hugo Gallegos is founder of www.mdnationwide.org, a research & information company specializing in identifying America's top medical doctors, and providing the Internets most comprehensive medical doctor background reports.

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Hugo Gallegos. (2009, April 14 - Last revised: 2013, June 14). Online Doctor Ratings - Examining a Physicians Credentials. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 20, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/rehabilitation/doctor-ratings.php

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