A review site with a difference has been launched, I want great care. The website allows you to look up your doctor and see their reviews before you register with them. While we’re used to checking out sites such as TrustedPlaces, or TripAdvisor before making a decision about where to eat or holiday, being able to look up reviews of your doctor is a different matter.
I think choosing a doctor is more of a long-term commitment and as with any decision regarding your health is a decision that should not be taken lightly, so the more information patients can use to help make such decisions, the better. But the problem with the site is that the comments are not directed to a group or company like they are at most review websites, but the comments focuses on one person and therefore become personal. According to Webuser, The British Medical Association (the body that represents doctors) agree saying that the new site will leave doctors open to abuse, libel and even personal attack.
The site is run by Dr Bacon, who was a hospital doctor for the last 15 years and the site is still in beta with many doctors not yet having any comments. The reviews that I have seen so far are positive and so it is nice to see the site being used to help recognise those who are providing great healthcare. I would definitely like to check out the site once more reviews have been filled in to see the direction that it is taking.
I think The British Medical Association needs to credit humans with a little more intelligence, the internet generally leaves us all open to abuse, libel and even personal attack – on forums, blogs, email, chat rooms…. People exercise human judgment on reviews shown, if a doctor has ridiculously flattering reviews from EVERYONE it would be pretty suspect. Likewise with BAD reviews, we as human users can actually make a judgment. What happens in the real world? We listen to other opinions but we don’t just blindly follow them do we? So lets embrace these types of resources they can only make it better for us all in the long run.
I’ve been deeply involved in some of the big directory websites over the last 12 years, and recently I hooked up with http://www.brownbook.net. What I like about it? Its taken the decision NOT to interfere with reviewers, to let people have their say, add photos and videos, and if the business is not there, add it instantly. Still, the whole principle of user reviews – LOVE IT, and there is no stopping it, doctors need to embrace it and use it to their advantage as does the BMA.
Thanks for your comment Marc. I agree, the public can spot fake reviews a mile away, both good and bad. As I mentioned, the more information available to the public about important decisions such as these the better.
I guess we need to look at the motive of the reviewer and the impact of each review. Are you more likely to review a good or a bad doctor? And does a good review have the same impact as a bad one?
I am a strong supporter of two-way communication on the web and at Shiny Red we agree with you, we advise our clients not to interfere with the opinions, but to genuinely join in the discussion.
[...] from the specialist medical bloggers and press, Shinyred, which focuses on new media, points out, reviewing is slightly different with doctors—choosing [...]