Online Doctor Ratings: What to Look for

Recent statistics show that approximately one-fourth of Americans have used websites to determine what health official is right for them.

Based on a survey that interviewed more than 2,000 U.S. adults in 2012 regarding their knowledge and use of online physician ratings sites, results showed that approximately 65 percent of respondents said they were aware that such websites existed. Many were also aware of online rating sites for various products or companies, including cars and restaurants. 

For some individuals, online ratings meant a lot. For instance, the survey showed that close to 23 percent of respondents had used rating sites in some capacity within the past year, while another 35 percent said they'd picked a doctor based on good ratings from an online site. On the other hand, 37 percent said they'd avoided certain doctors because of bad ratings.

However, for some, the online physician ratings did not matter at all. Approximately 43 percent of individuals did not trust information they'd find online regarding such ratings.  

"Clearly some people don't trust the sites. But at the same time, we found a substantial percentage who had not only visited the sites but used them to make decisions," said study researcher Dr. David Hanauer, an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School, via Live Science. "Consumers are used to looking up ratings, so it is not surprising that they would turn to this familiar online medium to also seek physician ratings," Hanauer said.

Researchers also point out that whether you're skeptical of website ratings or you use them for all your medical questions, many sites may operate differently. For instance,  with Yelp.com, participants can rate anything from a doctor's visit to a restaurant dinner all in the same setting by using "stars" and leaving comments. However, for such sites as Healthgrades, users must fill out a standard patient-satisfaction survey regarding the doctor's communication skills, overall friendliness and accessibility based on urgency of the appointment.

"It's a very comprehensive compendium of information," said Evan Marks, Healthgrades executive vice president, via HealthDay. However, he added, "I don't think anyone should base a decision on patient ratings alone."

What do you think?

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Journal of the American Medical Association.