Help others by referring a good doctor

[RateMDs]

Hi There -

I have noticed that many, many people on these boards and other health boards seek doctor recommendations -- and no surprize, for the most part, people end up choosing a doctor based on the book they get from their insurance company -- which is like throwing darts at the phone book. And insurance companies know A LOT about doctors - what they prescribe, outcomes, etc. - but none of this is ever shared with the public.

So I am helping to build a resource for patients called RateMDs, which lets people rate their doctors so others can see who is good -- and who is not-so-hot.

Will you consider offering a rating of your doctor? It would be a real help to others in need .

Also, if you also think this is a good idea and would be interested in administering RateMDs in your state or town, please e-mail me.

Thanks for reading this and thinking about it -- your responses to this idea and thoughts are appreciated!

Edited for advertising!

[Dewey]

While I find that doctor ratings may help many, I've personally never relied on other people's words to determine who I see. I think the best way to determine if a doctor's right for you (or not) is to go to them yourself. What may work for you might not work for another, and some people's personalities may clash, causing them to view that person (or doctor) in a negative light. Had I listened to others when switching endos, I may not have started pump therapy back in '96.

On the lighter side, it is good to get multiple views and hear all sides. :) (This is just personal opinion, based on experience). I'm actually kind of for both sides...lol ;)

[KLD]

While it sounds like a good idea in theory, we come from such a wide variety of places all over the world that I have to wonder how useful it would be, in a practical sense.

Karen

[mg_2204]

Over here you register to your local surgery. You can't go elsewhere.

Marie
:)

[RateMDs]

I see what you're saying, that in other countries there is in fact very little choice about which doctor to go to. In fact, that's true here to a great extent as well - insurnace companies essentially control our behavior. But I think that is beginning to change now as people become more informed - forums like this are a good example. People want to empower themselves with information they get from others who are peers.

But I have to say, it is disheartening that Dewey above wouldn't find it valuable anyway. What would be valuable? An official "consumer reports" on doctors?

[jazzy1]

Originally posted by RateMDs
But I have to say, it is disheartening that Dewey above wouldn't find it valuable anyway. What would be valuable? An official "consumer reports" on doctors?
I agree with Dewey. It's a matter of personal prefrence. Doctors are people with their own beliefs and personalities. Some people just can't get along with others. I wouldn't feel comfortable seeing a doctor that I didn't get along with....even though the polls said that he/she was great!

I have control of my life, my well-being, and my disease. I've accomplished that by figuring out what works best for me. I can't say that any aspect of my life has been determined by an answer from a poll (Presidental elections excluded). I am more likely to see a doctor if: A) someone I know personally has given me a good reference on the Dr.s behalf, B) if the doctor is a provider in my insurance network, and C) office is in a convienent location for me. None of my deciding factors can be taken from a poll, so like Dewey, for me it would be invaluable.

[Dewey]

Originally posted by jazzy1
It's a matter of personal prefrence. Doctors are people with their own beliefs and personalities. Some people just can't get along with others. I wouldn't feel comfortable seeing a doctor that I didn't get along with....even though the polls said that he/she was great!
Thanks, jazzy. That's exactly how I feel, too. You make very good points, and I agree 100% with ya. :)

I think you misunderstood me, Rate. I based feelings on personal experiences. As stated before, others (including an endo and his assistant) tried to persuade me Not to see a new endo I was interested in. They made mean comments, saying that this doctor was rude and would spend only a certain amount of time with patients, dependent upon their insurance coverage. However, when we met, we immediately hit it off. This doctor believed in me and felt I was working hard toward better control, even though the other endo said I wasn't enthusiastic enough (about it). In spite of everyone who spoke negatively about him, that new endo turned out to be my all-time favorite, and helped me start pump therapy. I was just saying that while it may be helpful to some, I've never personally relied on other's opinions for medical care.

[buzzborne]

Originally posted by mg_2204
Over here you register to your local surgery. You can't go elsewhere.

Marie
:)

Indeed this is true, we have to register to a surgery and then you get ''assigned'' to a Dr, i suppose you can tell someone if your Dr is good and they could switch, but I don't think it is done that regularly... well not up where I live anyway.

Though if you have someone visiting and they need a Dr, you can ''rate your Dr'' as you can ask to see anyone you want... taking that they are in the surgery.

[rzrbks]

RateMDs

But I have to say, it is disheartening that Dewey above wouldn't find it valuable anyway. What would be valuable? An official "consumer reports" on doctors?

I have to go with Dewey and jazzy1, here.

The relationship you have with your Dr. is as personal and individualistic as the one you have with your mate.

I know there are some truly nice people out there, even on this board:smartass:, but they aren't my wife and that's the way I prefer it, thanks. Took me a long time to find the right one, but she's the Right One for ME, not Nobody else.

Would I reccommend my Dr.? You betcha, but I know people here that don't like him---too bad for them. Are they wrong, nope, not for them.

[KLD]

In Canada, we are completely free to choose our own doctor and can change any time we want to. We don't even have to tell our first doctor; we just go to the new one, sign some papers authorizing the new doctor to ask for our medical records, and they will be transferred. Even if our doctor refers us to a specialist, we can ask for a specific one if we want to. The problem here, in British Columbia at any rate, is that there is a severe shortage of doctors and many of them are not taking new patients.

Karen

[RateMDs]

OK - but what if there were many ratings for a doctor - kind of like voting in a presidential election - the wisdom of crowds. One person - like your friend or neighbor might not get it right -- but a lot of people rating might sort out really good doctors from average ones.

Right now, you go where your insurance company tells you to go (US), but in the future, as insurance becomes more unbundled (ie, moves away from HMOs), you might need to do substantial research before selecting a doctor.

Or am I just off base here?

[KLD]

But how many of us live close enough together for these ratings to be useful? Right now there are 1,165 members spread out all over the world. I just don't think it's very practical.

Karen

[Shalyndria]

Well, I would think that one major obstacle to your presentation, RateMD's, is the sheer numbers of Doctors not only all over the world, but in the US alone. And the sheer number of differing opinions that will result from asking ppl to rate someone. Which leads me to the matter of criteria - who would decide what criteria made a physician rate high or low, and how could that criteria not be biased? And as such, any biased criteria would make for a flawed outcome.

Seems to support Dewey and everyone who's agreed with her, when she says that she forms her own opinions based on her own experiences.

Shy

[RateMDs]

Interesting that while the comments here all reject the idea, 5 of 7 in the poll said it would be helpful - though maybe its really 4, since I voted to test the poll :).

But I take your comments seriously - thanks.

On criteria, Shalyndria, Rate MDs has just three, all rated on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is good. Is the doctor:

1) Knowledgeable
2) Helpful
3) Punctual

Far from perfect - but I am trying to get to the simlpest measures possible to avoid exactly that - interpretation bias. I guess I'm not really thinking that it's the be-all end-all, but simply a helpful thing for people, compared with no info at all.

[Belinda]

I have to agree with the others too.

When One rates someone what does good mean? etc..... Many ppl have different definitions of these meanings of words.

For example I teach and have the students look up the definition of their weekly spelling words. Just this week one word was heaven....well one child wrote...A happy place...did he look it up? NO as he told me it came from the dictionary in his HEAD!!!!!!

[RateMDs]

It's a good point you make - people could interpret differently. I think people tend to value doctor's bedside manners very highly as well - in fact, I've heard that malpractice suits are much more highly correlated with poor bedside manner than with actual patient outcomes for treatment. I haven't seen that research myself, but if true, it could indicate that people prefer to feel taken care of above all else.

[rzrbks]

RateMDs

It's a good point you make - people could interpret differently. I think people tend to value doctor's bedside manners very highly as well - in fact, I've heard that malpractice suits are much more highly correlated with poor bedside manner than with actual patient outcomes for treatment. I haven't seen that research myself, but if true, it could indicate that people prefer to feel taken care of above all else.

Yes, that's an astute observation. I know that "Bedside Manner" is nearly as important to me. Is why i switched Endo--the one knew his stuff, OK, but he made sure you knew--I don't need a father at this point in my life--I want a Dr. who will pay attention and be willing to listen as well as lecture.

[RateMDs]

Soooo . . . I guess I'm thinking that by consulting the doctor ratings at RateMDs, people would get a view of whether people like their doctor and thought he was good.

And I think that people skills are incredibly important in medicine. You only get the information from patients that you really need to make good diagnoses if you can relate to them and they can relate to you.

[RateMDs]

Well, it is true that people rate doctors differently - and probably based a lot on their perception of bedside manner. But I think people are wise enough to understand that a physician will suit some and not others.

On geography - I'd agree, it is going to take an awful lot of people rating their doctors before you can get a good look at an average for that doctor. But our sister sites, www.ratemyprofessor.com and www.ratemyteacher.com have 2.2 million and 6.2 million ratings, respectively - it took a couple of years to get there -- so why not rate doctors as well?

[Shalyndria]

Originally posted by RateMDs
On criteria, Shalyndria, Rate MDs has just three, all rated on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is good. Is the doctor:

1) Knowledgeable
2) Helpful
3) Punctual


Originally posted by RateMDs
Well, it is true that people rate doctors differently - and probably based a lot on their perception of bedside manner. But I think people are wise enough to understand that a physician will suit some and not others.
This brings the question of biased ratings into my mind again. Your three criteria have nothing to do with bedside manner (with maybe the exception of #2, although that could be construed in many different ways) and yet you're extolling the importance of such here. I'm sure we're both aware that for the most part, rating a physician on bedside manner would lead to biased criteria, which is probably why it's not on your list.
The three in your list would all be biased, regardless of your intention to simplify. While I am not trying to defend either the general public or physicians, I have worked with both in Hospitals, LTC, and Clinics. As a patient and one who works in healthcare (with direct contact with physicians, nursing staff, and patients) I can say with confidence that I've experienced the differing opinions on both sides. Having a general rating alone on punctuality is, IMO, unreasonable because of the time constraints that physicians are against. For example, we are all aware that many times we'll have to wait for our doctor's appt's but 99% of the time this is not the fault of the physician. Many things factor into this: for example, often a client will make an appt stating one reason, and then come in with several complaints that a physician cannot deal with in 15 mins. Or a STAT phone call may come through, which cannot be ignored, but ties the doctor up for any length of time.
I could certainly go on and address the other two, but I'm sure you get my point. I also have to wonder about the legal implications of such a rating; without the physician's consent, are you legally within rights to be posting their name on a website for the public to rate?

Food for thought.
Shy

[RateMDs]

People do mean different things when they say they like a doctor - but if they can rate and leave a comment, perhaps others can judge that pretty well - at least I hope they can.

[RateMDs]

Originally posted by Shalyndria
I also have to wonder about the legal implications of such a rating; without the physician's consent, are you legally within rights to be posting their name on a website for the public to rate?

Food for thought.
Shy

In the U.S., a legal precedent has been set that websites are not responsibile for third party content - even if the site makes an effort with good intentions to remove postings which are harrassing, obscene, or libelous. I gues that this forum is probably protected by the same laws at least in the US. I am not sure how the law works on Canada, Europe and elsewhere on this issue.

[TAutry]

RateMDS,

This little thread of yours has ceased to be useful and is now closed. Feel free to find a new topic or join some other discussions.

Travis Autry