There has been some discussion among medical bloggers regarding RateMDs, a site devoted to rating doctors. Doctors complain that anyone can comment at the site and some even claim that the majority of negative ratings may be made by disgruntled “drug seekers.” Personally, I don’t think RateMDs should be viewed as the physician’s enemy, but rather a friend. Consider this alternative:
A new patient comes to your clinic with an unusual complaint. Because of the complexities involved in his/her complaint, you spend extra time with him/her. Finally, you make your diagnosis, give recommendations along with a prescription (if necessary), and your new patient leaves.
Crazy? Not in other professions. I worked for several years in the financial industry and endured many such encounters which were strikingly similar to the scenario above. In fact, my company had us “mystery shopped” on a quarterly basis, and "shoppers" always have some complex problem to solve that takes forever and keeps the “real” clients waiting. While knowing that I would be “shopped” was a cause for anxiety, I quickly learned that I had nothing to worry about because my delivery was consistent, I was knowledgeable and knew my resources, and I remained professional at all times. Of course, we all have our bad days, and there is always the possibility that one will be shopped on one of those days, but the odds are in your favor if you have a good track record. I don’t mean to brag, but my “mystery shopper” ratings were consistently 7/7—one "shopper" even became my client! Most of my colleagues fared well also, and those who didn’t soon learned the areas where they needed a little work.
What’s my point? If physicians see RateMDs as a tool to use in their favor, it can be their friend. The odds are slim that the negative remarks are coming primarily from disgruntled drug seekers. Honestly, think of the average “drug seeker”—do you see him/her rushing off to find a computer so they can rate the doctor who denied the drugs? I see him/her rushing off to find another doctor . . . Most of the comments I saw when I checked out the site were positive.
As a patient, I can see the usefulness of sites like RateMDs. Having lived in five states and three different countries, I know how hard it is to find a doctor in a new community--using the "yellow pages" isn't a wise option. First, I ask other people in the community whom they recommend. RateMDs is that recommendation taken to the internet. Like the recommendations I get from people in the community, it needs to be "taken with a grain of salt."
I know that a comment like “he’s a jerk” doesn’t necessarily mean a doctor lacks skills, and others do too. If three people recommend the same pediatrician, I’m likely to call his/her office and try to establish a relationship. When I move to a new community, I don’t go to doctors to to get a review of other doctors in the community, so I don’t see a problem with RateMDs allowing anyone to rate a doctor.
How exactly can physicians use this to their benefit? In the financial industry, when someone thanked me for a job well done, I asked him/her to recommend me to friends and family. When a patient expresses thanks, tell him/her about RateMDs, and ask him/her to rate you and add a remark or two about his/her experience with you. I promise you, patients are just as quick to praise a doctor as they are to complain.
Trust me—I just added my pediatrician to RateMDs and gave her a “5” in all categories (highest rating). I also added a comment about what a wonderful doctor she has been for my children.
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Update (February 2009): Many insurance companies have added doctor rating options to their public facing websites as well.
