Rating Doctors: A Rank Practice?

Reader Comments
Back to blog

By Mark Stodghill, April 28, 2011, Duluth News Tribune
A judge threw out a lawsuit today filed by a Duluth physician who said he was defamed by a man who publicly criticized his bedside manner.
Dr. David McKee, a neurologist with Northland Neurology and Myology, alleged that Dennis Laurion of Duluth defamed him and interfered with his business by making false statements to the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association, two physicians in Duluth, the St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Advisory Committee and St. Luke’s hospital, among others.
Laurion was critical of the treatment his father, Kenneth, received from McKee after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke and spending four days at St. Luke’s hospital from April 17-21 last year.
Dennis Laurion claimed that any statements he made about the doctor were true and that he was immune from any liability to the plaintiff.
In his 18-page order dismissing the suit, Sixth Judicial District Judge Eric Hylden wrote that looking at Laurion’s “statements as a whole, the court does not find defamatory meaning, but rather a sometimes emotional discussion of the issues.”
Hylden addressed the fact that Laurion posted some of his criticisms of McKee on websites. “In modern society, there needs to be some give and take, some ability for parties to air their differences,” the judge wrote. “Today, those disagreements may take place on various Internet sources. Because the medium has changed, however, does not make statements of this sort any more or less defamatory.” Hylden concluded his order by stating that there wasn’t enough objective information provided to justify asking a jury to decide the matter.
Laurion was relieved by the court’s ruling. “My parents, who are now 86, my wife and I have found this process very stressful for the past year, since my father’s stroke. There was never just one defendant,” he said. “We’re grateful that Judge Hylden found no need for a trial.”
In his suit, McKee alleged that Laurion made false statements including that McKee “seemed upset” that Kenneth Laurion had been transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to a ward room; that McKee told the Laurion family that he had to “spend time finding out if [the patient] had been transferred or died;” that McKee told the Laurions that 44 percent of hemorrhagic stroke victims die within 30 days; that McKee told the patient that he didn’t need therapy; that McKee said it didn’t matter that the patient’s gown was hanging from his neck with his backside exposed; that McKee blamed the patient for the loss of his time; and that McKee didn’t treat his patient with dignity.
McKee said he hadn’t had a chance to confer with Marshall Tanick, his Minneapolis attorney. “Dennis Laurion is a liar and a bully and a coward,” McKee said.
More: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/197679/publisher_ID/36
Court order: http://www.onpointnews.com/docs/Mckee-v-Laurion.pdf

Reddit of WI 2:09AM May 22, 2011

прочетете целия блог, доста добър

Gensearep of AL 11:04AM March 15, 2011

Edwin Alan Moore, an alleged doctor of Osteophatic nedcine,
at Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inverness Florida is one corrupt
alleged doctor! A 100% service-conneted, military retired
veteran, using a special built electric wheelchair, was
transported to this hospital due to a diabetic attact.
Edwin Alan Moore, not once ask if this critically ill veteran
was a veteran, or any other qustion. Rather, the veteran
was held in a hospital bed, no way to get around, no wheel
chair. Rather than calling an ambulnce & transporting the
veteran to the VA Hospital, where he belongs, Edwin Alan
Moore, held him Friday night all day Saturday, then Baker
acted him into a mental hospital. Moore, is well aware that
all medical bills are paid by VA, therefore, this veeran was held
for money from VA. Then, the critically ill veteran was held in
the mental hospital three day, & released, & his family was advised
that he should not have been Baker-acted to begin with. Be very
wary of this alleged doctor, he is as corrupt as satan. Evidence
available!

Rev. A. M. Clark of FL 7:53PM November 05, 2010

Reading the comments made by the 'family practice doctor from the midwest' sent a cold chill down my spine. I've run across doctors so embittered or burned out that they should consider retirement; he sounds like one of them.

Charlotte of CA 7:32PM June 10, 2010

DOCTOR BASHING
The title speaks for itself.It is indeed shameful that there are organisations springing up who have little respect for the law, honesty and truth.You would think that a doctor,s side of the storey is just as as important and the negative comments would and should be removed if they are vague accusations, appear suspicious of motive and are unsubstansiated.Apparantly, all these promotors of disruptive,bad behaviour and drug peddlers are interested only in one thing. How to line their own pockets.They don,t want to know the circumstance of the incident,or the truth. The doctor is always wrong, the patient is always right.
They seem to be protected by the law of the country even though they allow their sites to be used for causing disruption and spreading vindictive lies. Remember, America invaded Iraq and Afganistan for allowing their sites to spread falsehood and mayhem.
Sites like "Rate Your MD" and all the others must be held responsible for allowing these crooks to spread vindicative lies. It is character assassination.
I have given conciderable thought to setting up a parallel webste for MD,s. Perhaps "RATE THE RATER" ( or RATE THE RAT!), where the MD can write his storey with reference to the negative or offensive remarks made against him to keep the balance in proper perspective.Remember that we doctors know who the patient is who has badmouthed the MD.
And discretly cautioning ALL the doctors in the near by area about the miscreant would sqarley put the ball back into the patient,s court good and hard, where it belongs.If the law will not protect us there are always choices.COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK ON SETTING UP A WEBSIT WELCOMED.

Sarban 1:16PM January 27, 2010

I'm a physician and just checked my ratings on one of the sites mentioned above. I was surprised to see the feminine variation of my name (I am a male), and that the reviews posted there specifically referred to "she" and "her" throughout the comments. I'm in a small, rural town. I can assure you that 1) there are no female physicians by that name in town and 2) that my patients know that I'm a guy.
Makes me wonder how these sites are run...

M of OK 11:50AM December 24, 2009

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.

Family Practice Dr from the Midwest of WI 11:45PM October 27, 2009

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

Catherine of OR 1:30PM November 13, 2008

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..

Elaine Menard of NH 7:07PM July 15, 2008