![]() Many websites enable users to enter reviews and rankings about specific physicians. This information can be obtained for free, or patients can pay to obtain a more in-depth report about the physician. ![]() Some of the websites access various databases to display further information about board certification, residency, and any disciplinary action. Many physician-rating websites provide users with basic information about the physician such as years in practice and contact information. A separate study found that 15% of consumers compare hospitals before making a selection, and 30% of consumers compare physicians online before making a selection. In fact, in the United States, 47% looked up information about their providers online, 37% consulted physician-rating sites, and 7% of people who sought information about their provider posted a review online. Patients are seeking information not only about disease conditions but also about physicians and hospitals. In 2010, 88% of adult Americans used the Internet to search for health-related information. The patient’s single overall rating of the physician correlated with the other dimensions of care that were rated by patients for the same physician (Pearson correlation, r =. Depending on the scale used for each physician-rating website, the average rating was 77 out of 100 for sites using a 100-point scale (SD 11, median 76, range 33–100), 3.84 out of 5 (77%) for sites using a 5-point scale (SD 0.98, median 4, range 1–5), and 3.1 out of 4 (78%) for sites using a 4-point scale (SD 0.72, median 3, range 1–4). A total of 35 different dimensions of care were rated by patients in the websites, with a median of 4.5 (mean 4.9, SD 2.8, range 1–9) questions per site. It has been an innovator in providing information to help consumers make smarter choices for more than 40 years.The 10 most commonly visited websites with user-generated content were, ,, YP.com,, ,, ,, and. Through a special arrangement with Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, readers can see all of Checkbook’s ratings and advice for a limited time.Ĭonsumers’ Checkbook/Center for the Study of Services is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974. “Whether they’re up-to-date on their training.”īrasler recommended checking for any malpractice lawsuits and disciplinary actions against the doctor you want to see. “Another thing you can do is you can look whether the doctor is board certified and whether or not the doctor has continued their board certification,” Brasler said. When you find one you like, Brasler suggested asking other patients about that physician and the practice. He suggested getting recommendations about a doctor before you go and ask questions “which are essential to good health care,” such as: Do they listen to you and communicate well? Do they coordinate your care? This includes finding one who is accepting new patients, or finding someone who is in their health insurance plan’s network.īrasler said many physicians are requiring patients to pay thousands yearly to sign up with the practice. “We find that many patients just have a lot of trouble when they need a new doctor,” Kevin Brasler, Consumers’ Checkbook executive editor, said. ![]() Therefore, it is important to choose someone with whom you will work well, according to a National Library of Medicine webpage. Your PCP is often involved in your care for a long time. The problem is there’s a nationwide shortage of primary care doctors, according to Consumers’ Checkbook.Ī primary care provider (PCP) is a health care practitioner, usually a doctor, who sees people that have common medical problems. Whether you’re getting a physical, undergoing a medical procedure or following a treatment plan, taking charge of your health care is critical. It may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make - finding the right primary care doctor to take care of you. Business & Finance Click to expand menu.
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