Rating Doctors: A Rank Practice?

Rating Doctors: A Rank Practice?

It's just not that simple. You know why a patient of mine filed a written grievance? I didnt refill her vicodin RX that she lost.

I am an employed physician, there are more patients in the community than I possibly could see. There aren't enough primary care doctors anywhere to see all the patients.

I get rid of one for bad behavior and five decent patients are in their wake. The published opinions of my patients are important, but not the deal breaker. Outcomes and providing the best care I can provide is more important. What's also important is that I foster lasting relationships with my patients and they trust me.

The other side of a medical practice:

1. Complain about doctors being late for appointments, then show up 25 minutes late for yours. And upon arrival, decide to rehash every complaint ever experienced in the last 10 years.

2. Complain about all the pills you are asked to take, then don't get off the couch and lose the 60 extra pounds you are carrying.

3. Complain that your pain isnt being addressed adequately, then sell, misuse, or otherwise abuse your narcotic pain medication.

4. Complain about the tests I have ordered to explore a complaint, then sue me when a diagnosis is missed.

5. Complain that your phone call isnt being returned quickly enough to discuss your "rash", then call an addition 4 times that day.

Folks in medicine have noticed a disturbing trend that many of those in the service industry knew about years ago. Americans frequently want to feel no discomfort, want to blot out unpleasant feelings, want a "magic pill", and want to get it all done at the speed of a Taco Bell drive through.

Unfortunately we are losing the ideals of self responsibility, good manners, and a hard work ethic that prior generations shared.

doctor ratings

I used a site called mdnationwide.org to review my doctors full background history, which included her rating, and other background information. I was impressed by the information

given, given the fact that several other sites offered very limited information. I wonder were they get their information from.

Good Luck

Catherine

Rating doctors online

Physicians should not be afraid of being rated online by their patients. The number ratings mean little, but the comments are more enlightening. Sometimes it may be the only way to find out who a patient should not see...at the very least a buyer beware. I have rated my doctors online. I've been lucky because I have great physicians and I'm not shy about saying so. Some people may be inclined to grouse, but a doctor should expect that as well. Just because it's on the internet, as others have already pointed out, doesn't make it true. If someone at my job complains a lot about me, then some others might believe it as well...that doesn't mean I've done anything bad or wrong (that person just doesn't like me). I'm a big girl, I can handle that.

Earlier this year, I had to take my daughter to a psychiatrist. I checked the online ratings and also the disciplinary actions. I found out he had been disciplined and why. As there aren't a lot of child psychiatrists in my area, I made the decision to keep the appointment. He was okay and I was satisfied with the outcome. I'm glad I had the option to check. I believe it helps to keep the medical profession honest and it's just another tool in the consumer's toolbox..

Not Stupid at all

Doctors with good ratings will always be on business and will answer your call.

Stupid

No one has the right to to slander another, anon. What a ridiculous mess. More doctors are fed up, retiring early and are sick of the bashing. It is sneaky, in the dark and should never be allowed.

It really is true.....America has gone to HELL! Lets see what happens when you need a doctor and no one is on call or no doctor on staff, then you will find out how desperately you need one.

Rating physicians

I think physician information is very imporant. ESPECIALLY information that is not just another creative advertisement for the physician, produced by the medical institution's marketing team.

I also think the exact sub-specialties should be included. Reason: My adult son, who has hydrocephalus, just came home after his 72nd surgery since '98. (yes 72) The initial nsg seemed to have problems with infections, putting the catheter(s) in the wrong place and then making a joke about it, etc. After his last mistake, he ignored all calls and we were advised by the ER staff and one of his PA's that it might be best if we seek another opinion. He has since moved onto another state and is happily practicing while my son is in constant pain and promise of more surgeries.

In the doc's new hospital bio, hydrocephalus is not mentioned. But, after a dozen surgeries, when I asked him about his experiences, he said he had done many surgeries and that my son's surgeries were so easy even a resident could to them. (maybe he got sloppy)

My point, had I known 10 years ago that he did not have enough experience with this condtion, I would NEVER have subjected my son to the pain and suffering he is going through.

If I took my chevy to a mechanic and he lied about his specialty and his lack of experience caused me to have an accident, I could sue him and he would be dealt with. If I asked an electrician to fix my air conditioner and it malfunctioned causing a fire, I could also deal with him. And there is enough information about these specialties - they have no problem letting me talk to other customers, etc.

Why can we not find information about the kinds of surgeries different specialists perform and a report card so we can make an informed consumer decision? I say, let me know what other people have experienced and I will feel safer. Give me credit for having the intelligence to know that someone is just complaining when the best they can come up with is wait time and bad bedside manner. If I were writing a critigue, I would say this surgeon's bedside manner was non-existant (rarely saw him) and he was not proficient in matters relating to hydrocephalus, but I also know he is brilliant with another more complicated brain procedure, as I have met two people who have wonderful success with their cases.

Doctor Ratings Online

Consumers need to take back control of their patient satisfaction, and as in other industries, only the consumer can effect change. So in the case of MyDocHub.com, patients rate their doctor based on waiting room times, total wait time including the time in the patient room with the doctor, and a simple rating of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest on how satisfied they were with that appointment. The ratings are averaged out, so one poor score does not hurt the doctor, but on the other hand, various poor ratings may indicate poor performance by the doctor, since the wisdom of crowds determine a more accurate assessment of the doctor.

Keith Conaway

I would like to know if Dr. Keith Conaway, Shawnee Oklahoma, as pending lawsuits or mal-practice suites pending. My husband will soon be a new patient and we have no information regarding this new doctor.

Rate doctors, hospitals and all healthcare suppliers

Websites are springing up to fullfill a need. There is no internal reviews or public accountablitity within the industry, they would rather protect everyone that expose the few incompetent doctors.

Internet surfers are savy enough to filter out biased b.s. online and get useful information from the patients reviews, don't believe people who say these sites are wrong because there's no such thing as an incorrect 'opinion'.

Take the rankings a step further and rate your hospital, dentist, nurse, chiropractor, medicine and more at Healthcare Reviews http://www.healthcarereviews.com

Doctor ratings are helpful

I'm a dermatologist and started the www.DrScore.com physician rating site several years ago. Openness is good for doctors and patients. Few people realize how high doctors' patient satisfaction scores are-- they average over 9 out of 10!

One of the best things about using the Internet to rate doctors is that it gives doctors an easy, inexpensive way to get feedback from patients. Doctors want to give patients great care, and getting feedback is important for achieving that goal.

Without online ratings, the only thing we're likely to read about doctors are the rare incidents where things went badly wrong. Let's get representative information into the public domain. Doctors should be encouraging patients to go online and do ratings, not try to stop it.