Ratings and reviews for healthcare services allow people to find healthcare professionals who best fit their unique needs and situations.

As access to in-person healthcare became restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, reviews and ratings of healthcare professionals gained significance.

Doctor and hospital visits were allowed in certain situations, but a 2024 study found that many people felt more comfortable conducting these visits in the privacy of their homes.

As more people started using telehealth, researchers found that online reviews became increasingly important. The study also highlighted how negative reviews and a doctor’s response to those reviews can influence a person’s choice of a healthcare professional.

We’ve partnered with Octave to explore the significance of doctor ratings, factors to consider, plus how individuals can use them to help choose a doctor that fits their unique needs.

The primary goal of doctor ratings is to help people compare and choose healthcare professionals based on performance metrics in specific areas.

Each rating site is unique based on its audience, but common ratings you may find on such sites include:

  • responsiveness
  • friendliness
  • communication
  • cleanliness
  • timeliness of care
  • appointment scheduling
  • expertise (of the staff and the doctor)

Many sites also allow users to leave detailed reviews and feedback.

Ratings primarily reflect individual experiences and are likely to be biased. A single negative experience can affect a doctor’s ratings.

A rating system also has limitations, as it may not include all aspects of care. It is not often possible to measure factors such as personal preferences and specialized care.

Some websites feature “sponsored” doctors who may have paid for a profile rather than using a free profile.

To get a more comprehensive view of a doctor’s ratings, it is advisable to check several rating websites. Also, feel free to interact with the staff of the doctor you have chosen and ask relevant questions.

Here is a look at a few common healthcare rating websites and how these ratings work.

Octave

Octave is a modern therapy practice designed to help people find professionals who offer mental health services.

Features: Users can refine their search based on insurance coverage, language, location, and condition. They can also directly schedule an appointment through the platform.

How it works: Octave uses a proprietary tool called the Connect Score to help users find top-quality therapists who ensure active client engagement and deliver exceptional care. The company used data from more than 100 million insurance claims to evaluate more than 200,000 mental health professionals.

To determine scores, Octave uses criteria such as clinical visit history, healthcare professional experience, and client retention or satisfaction. Scores are updated twice per year.

Rating format: Octave does not use ratings for their therapist. Each professional receives a characterization for “Clients report a lasting relationship,” and some may have an additional one for “High satisfaction rate with clients.”

Characterization criteria: The characterizations are based on patient satisfaction surveys.

Additional notes: Users cannot leave comments or feedback. However, they have access to other information, such as a doctor’s license number, therapeutic approaches, and educational background. Octave also displays each healthcare professional’s interests, which can be helpful when you are looking for someone you can relate to on a personal level.

Partner tip

Whether you have a mental health condition, suspect you might, or just need support, talking with a therapist can help you manage the challenges of daily life.

Octave’s online therapy platform can match you with the right mental health provider for your unique needs and budget. Octave’s network of carefully selected therapists, with a wide range of specialties and backgrounds, tailors their conversations to each individual and their goals.

Your needs are unique to you, and Octave therapists share a commitment to provide personalized care and support that meets you where you are.

*sponsored

Healthgrades

Healthgrades, a prominent platform for doctor ratings, offers valuable insights into doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals.

Healthgrades is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Features: Users can refine their search based on specialty, condition, procedure, and location. The platform offers appointment guides, easy-to-understand health information, and more. Users who have an account can schedule appointments, access exclusive medication discounts, and receive appointment reminders.

How it works: Healthgrades uses data from various sources, including patient feedback, insurance claims, and government sources. Profiles include the doctor’s professional experience, specialties and procedures, hospital associations, and feedback.

Every healthcare professional who is listed on Healthgrades and registered with the National Professional Identifier Registry receives a complementary profile. Healthcare professionals can enhance their profiles by uploading photos and adding more details.

Rating format: Healthgrades uses a 5-star rating scale, with 5 being the highest rating.

Rating criteria: Ratings are based on patient reviews of various factors, including:

  • wait times
  • communication
  • trustworthiness
  • appointment pace (i.e., whether the person felt rushed)
  • clarity in explaining conditions (how well the doctor explained a condition)

Additional notes: Healthgrades has a feature called Board Action Check, which reports any actions the medical board has taken against a doctor as a result of a complaint, an investigation, or another issue.

U.S. News

U.S. News & World Report features rankings for a variety of services, including education, health, money, and travel. You can find rankings of doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and surgery centers.

Features: Users can refine their search based on location, specialty, and insurance coverage. U.S. News & World Report also offers condition guides and features “Doctor Advice” articles covering various healthcare topics.

How it works: U.S. News & World Report gathers feedback from more than 200 online sources and uses advanced technology to assess and categorize the comments.

The platform evaluates 10 key client experience areas:

  • ability to answer questions
  • the healthcare professional’s attitude
  • follow-up care
  • time spent with the client
  • inclusion in decision making
  • general feedback
  • thoroughness of the exam
  • clear instructions
  • perceived results
  • loyalty to the healthcare professional

These scores are combined, weighted based on preference, and then adjusted according to the number of reviews to generate an overall rating.

Rating format: U.S. News uses a 5-star rating scale, with 5 being the highest rating. Doctors who receive a 5-star rating can earn awards in any of the 10 experience areas.

Rating criteria: Ratings are based on patient satisfaction reviews.

Additional notes: Certain doctors may be “sponsored,” which indicates that the hospital may have paid for that listing.

Zocdoc

Zocdoc is an online platform where people can find a doctor and schedule an appointment for free.

Features: Users can refine their search based on condition, procedure, doctor, location, and insurance plan.

How it works: Zocdoc operates as a digital marketplace where doctors pay a fee to list their profiles on the platform. The platform verifies the validity and good standing of a doctor’s medical license in their state and confirms their specialty, educational background, and board certifications.

Rating format: Zocdoc uses a 5-star rating scale, with 5 being the highest. Doctor profiles feature ratings for various factors, such as wait times and bedside manner, and can include client feedback, any awards or publications a doctor has, and the languages they speak.

Rating criteria: Ratings are based on patient satisfaction reviews.

Additional notes: Zocdoc uses Patient-Powered Search to analyze searches and translate everyday language into medical terminology. For example, a search for “gyno” will match users with an obstetrician-gynecologist without requiring them to spell out the term.

Doctor ratings and reviews are valuable tools for streamlining the search for the right healthcare professional.

However, ratings can be subjective and are based primarily on individual experiences, meaning that what suits one person may not be right for another.

Determining whether a doctor is the right fit often requires personal interaction and firsthand experience.