Doctor Rating Sites-Have You Used Them?

Velvet Cactus · Feb 10, 2012, 08:27 PM

Some may be familiar with sites like "Rate My MD" where folks grade all types of doctors (including Ts) on 5 criteria such as punctuality, knowledge, bedside manner, friendliness of office staff etc. Then you can leave comments to explain why your experience was good, bad or neutral.
If you have used them, how accurate have they proved to be? If the rating was quite poor would you think twice about going to see them?

ECHOES · Feb 10, 2012, 08:30 PM

I haven't used them, but I've seen them.
I think it is more likely that someone unhappy would post a rating than someone satisfied.
Also, we are all different and have different desires and needs and opinions. What makes a doctor terrific for me, wouldn't matter to another person. So, I don't think I would give it much weight at all.

Are you looking for a doctor or therapist or psychiatrist?

Wren_ · Feb 10, 2012, 08:38 PM

i think with a lot of sites that are specifically ratings sites, like echoes, that people using them are most likely going to be those who were upset and want to let everyone know so ... the ratings could be grossly misrepresentative of the doctor which makes it difficult to know; that said, i would probably be hesitant to use one if I read one where a doctor was very poorly rated.

Velvet Cactus · Feb 10, 2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECHOES

I haven't used them, but I've seen them.
I think it is more likely that someone unhappy would post a rating than someone satisfied.
Also, we are all different and have different desires and needs and opinions. What makes a doctor terrific for me, wouldn't matter to another person. So, I don't think I would give it much weight at all.

Are you looking for a doctor or therapist or psychiatrist?

Neither. Actually there are many positive ones! Some folks love their docs and aren't afraid to let everyone know. I had an experience two years ago with an md I was refered to. There were about 35 negative ratings for them!

As you say, everyone is different and has different needs so I attended the appointment to see for myself. I had no problems with her, but I could certainly understand why she gave the impression she ate clients for breakfast!

Velvet

Wren_ · Feb 10, 2012, 08:55 PM

I wonder what they tasted like

Silent_tsol · Feb 10, 2012, 09:16 PM

I found my gp on one of those site. I have a hard time with drs (phobia related) so I felt like I needed someone that was good. I tried personal references first but they were all booked. The lady I found had I think 4 fantastic comments out of 5 total (not many compared to some with a lot of ratings). So far I really like her. When I was searching I did try to apply things to me personally. Comments like patience and willing to try options to me matters a lot more than waiting room time.

Also, the doctor I ran from, I checked after had very bad ratings

CantExplain · Feb 11, 2012, 05:47 AM

Experiences with therapists are much more personal than experiences with, for example, dentists. What I wrote about my therapist would say more about me than about her.

And yet...

I wonder how the ratings for Bad Facilitator compare with those of my T? Something to check later. At the moment, I despise Bad F too much to care what anyone else thinks of him. A good review would turn my stomach.

eskielover · Feb 11, 2012, 05:57 AM

Have never found more than one review on any of the Dr's /psychologists I have seen....no real quality information that I have come across personally.

CantExplain · Feb 11, 2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Truth exists outside of us and remains the same regardless of how we may perceive it.~~John MacArthor

That's what I believe, too, but psychotherapists don't seem to agree! They are very much into "subjective reality".

Velvet Cactus · Feb 18, 2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantExplain

I wonder how the ratings for Bad Facilitator compare with those of my T? Something to check later. At the moment, I despise Bad F too much to care what anyone else thinks of him. A good review would turn my stomach.

Yes, I can imagine it would. One hopes for some sort of balance when reading those. All I found on my T was 3 very negative reports. Several facets of his personality were at issue, including his lack of empathy!

And the fact that there are no positives to counter those makes me all the more uneasy!

Velvet Cactus · Feb 18, 2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent_tsol

I found my gp on one of those site. I have a hard time with drs (phobia related) so I felt like I needed someone that was good. I tried personal references first but they were all booked. The lady I found had I think 4 fantastic comments out of 5 total (not many compared to some with a lot of ratings). So far I really like her. When I was searching I did try to apply things to me personally. Comments like patience and willing to try options to me matters a lot more than waiting room time.

Also, the doctor I ran from, I checked after had very bad ratings

Reviews really can make you feel better about approaching them when they have positive revues. I'm so glad you found someone you are pleased with!