A new study finds that the rate of patients checking websites for doctor ratings and reviews has increased. The survey involved 2,100 people with 75 percent having awareness of these websites and 25 percent using them at some point in the past year.
In fact, of those surveyed, 35 percent chose a doctor based on the information provided online. Another 37 percent opted not to see a doctor for the same reasons. Although this method can certainly aid people in making decisions regarding their medical care, there are concerns about the trustworthiness of the information.
For instance, not all patients rate or review doctors, so the available information may be incomplete. As is often the case with any service, it is usually the people who have bad experiences who feel the most motivation to air their grievances online.
Examples of popular websites that provide information on doctors include Healthgrades and RateMDS. But there are many others available that could prove to be helpful in doctor shopping.
One of the issues not addressed in these websites, however, are disciplinary actions taken against a doctor. Depending on the state, this information may be available publicly. For instance, the New York Department of Health provides a way for people to look into a physician or physician assistant’s medical conduct.
What to Do When a Negligent Doctor Causes Serious Injuries to a Patient
Unfortunately, there have been those victimized by a doctor’s careless or reckless actions. It’s too late to research patient satisfaction or disciplinary measures taken against him or her. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing can be done.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured at the hands of a doctor, and it’s believed to have been the result of negligence, the next step is to seek legal counsel. The attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates can help you determine if you have a valid claim. If you would like to get a cross-section of what we cover on a daily basis, you can follow our twitter feed. To take action on your claim, call 800-550-0000.
