Peer Nominations and the Process Behind Top Doctors

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Other comments here indicate a poor correlation exists between those
listed as Top physicians, and the opinions of peers.. and those of some
patients.
As a retired physician of one of the Top-ranked hospitals, I see the
names of other * now retired* physicians among the physician-list of
practicing top-physicians, And, even the name of a physician long-deceased.

Sheafe Ewing M.D. of CA 2:46PM August 01, 2011

Very disappointed with this list. I have been chief of my department for many years now and know of at least one MD on your list who has had substance abuse problems and has been put on limited restrictions. This is clearly an imperfect and potentially dangerous system that needs some review of its rating system.

Dr S FL of FL 12:28PM July 31, 2011

As someone who is the eldest child of TWO of the nominated docs, I can objectively :) say that the process clearly captured some of the good ones.
As for other commentators, sounds like sour grapes to me :)

AG of MA 10:47AM July 29, 2011

While many of the physician's you recognize in your list that practice in the same subspecialty as myself, there is one who is recognized that I have personally worked with and know lacks certain ethical standards in the operating room. This would not be apparent to many physicians who interact with this person outside of that arena, and who are likely the ones who nominated this individual.
One solution for US News to such a problem would be to only be able to nominate within your own specialty and in cases where they exist your own SUBspecialty.
Patients should be careful about using physicians based on reputation alone.

carter of TX 5:23PM July 28, 2011

I certainly agree with Dr. Weinstein. It is difficult for me to take these ratings seriously based on the approach and criteria in which they are obtained. I have first hand knowlege on one NC hospital and their list of MD's with top ratings. If you would talk to nurses that work with these physicians and care for their patients, you would be horrified of the truth. Many of these physicians you named are arrogant towards staff and has poor bedside manner. The hospital is a far cry from "top", starting with the executive leadership and poor staffing of nurses.
U.S. News and Castle Connolly should be ashamed for publishing such information on such limited research. The community depend on such reports to really find great physicians.

WS, NC of NC 5:04PM July 28, 2011

Best doctors should be earned by combination of objective criteria (i.e. outcomes), scholarly activity and reputation amongst peers. As it stands, it lacks some important criteria. As with the All Star voting in professional sports, "get out the vote" initiatives by individuals and institutions can land a doctor a spot. This manyt times leaves many more qualified clinicians off the list. The ranking of hospital incorporates some objective criteria to give more credibility to the ratings.

tom of maryland of MD 10:04AM July 28, 2011

I also had doubts about this "top doctors" but I do know that one of them listed in our area is truly an awesome physician and a great surgeon. Regardless of how the list is created, at least I know that you got one right.

Maria of VA 1:51PM July 27, 2011

Where can we list bad doctors, to warn people not to use them?

Missy of IN 9:10AM July 27, 2011

Is this really a listing of the best doctors, or is it a popularity contest among friends and aquaintences? In looking at the selections in the hospital I work at, it seems to me to be the latter in about half the cases. I am not a physician, so I am not writing out of jealousy.

N.P. of NC 8:27AM July 27, 2011

I also went to a doctor that you have listed as a top doctor. She was verbally abusive and I took it because I knew it must be my fault - she was the expert. Everyone said she was the one of the best doctors in the field of oncology and is associated with a highly ranked hospital in Tennessee. She was repeatedly late for appointments, explained cancer to me in terms of "bears and bunnies in the forest", and would become impatient because I asked too many questions. I wouldn't wish this doctor on my worst enemy.

smarter now of TN 11:12PM July 26, 2011