Los Angeles Times Examines Increased Number Of Physician Rating Web Sites

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 21 May 2008 - 12:00 PDT

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The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined the more than two dozen Web sites -- such as RateMDs.com, Vitals.com and Dr.Score.com -- that allow users to "rate, review, spin or flame" their physicians, "operating in much the same way as online services that help people find the best hotels or avoid plumbers who overcharge." According to the Times, patients and operators maintain that Web sites will prompt physicians to improve customer service as the "tradition of doctors monitoring their own conduct through state medical boards and peer organizations is failing," but physicians argue that reviews on the sites are "skewed by disgruntled patients and are thus unfair, pushing some doctors to near-ruin after a single post."

The Web sites vary in their operation, amount of information provided and fairness, but most of the sites allow users to post anonymous reviews at no cost. Under federal law, the operators of Web sites on which users post anonymous reviews are not liable for defamation.

John Swapceinski, founder of RateMDs, said, "The Internet is such a great tool for transparency. In every profession there are some bad apples. In the medical profession, in particular, you really want to avoid them." He added, "There is a lot of protection for doctors. ... Most complaints about doctors are never made public."

However, Kevin Weiss -- president of the American Board of Medical Specialties, which establishes performance standards and certifies physicians -- questioned the value of the Web sites. He said, "With TVs and cars, people can subjectively talk about their experience because you have a consistent product. But with health care there is so much blended into the experience, it's hard to do an evaluation" (Roan, Los Angeles Times, 5/19).

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