The Reviews—Take II

The review sites for doctors seems to be different from the Yelp and Angie’s List type review sites. That is, there doesn’t seem to be the same ballot box stuffing. You know, where the biz owner, manager, marketing department and/or friends and family of the biz praise it to no end. Then you see a bunch of not so slick, but more real sounding, poor to horrid reviews.

This article from The Chicago Tribune News is well worth a read: Doctors: Web ratings flawed—Critics say Web scores based on few reviews are unfair, unreliable

‘But the sites are still not attracting enough ratings to give consumers useful information. Critics, including the American Medical Association, argue that manipulated, inaccurate or anonymous ratings could hurt a doctor's reputation.
"If there is a 'wisdom of the crowds,' on most sites, there is no crowd," said Dr. Jeffrey Segal, chief operating officer of Medical Justice, which works to protect doctors against online defamation and improve the health care system. "The average doctor sees between (1,000) and 3,000 patients a year, yet the typical site has zero to three posts. That doesn't even come close to a scintilla of statistical significance."’

My take? These sites are just one tool to use when doctor hunting—definitely NOT a one stop shop type thing.

I looked at Rate MDs and Insider Pages, entering in some of my own medics. What I found wasn’t surprising. Where folks have left comments, versus just clicking a quantity of rating stars, two of my regular docs have equal amounts of loved-him/her and will-never-see-this-physician-again notes. I can totally dig it. I understand both the praise and censure.

Here’s the dealio though—what is insufficient and/or offensive for one patient is small beer to another. For most of us, bedside manner is hu-YUGE, after competence and dependability. How can you know that your primary care physician/surgeon/specialist is totally engaged and involved with your case if they seem at all checked out. I've on occasion wondered if the good doc's mind has been on another, possibly more clinically interesting, patient? Or dinner at No.9 Park later? Reigning in that wretched contractor who’s supposed to be working his/her house?

I’m a fairly pushy broad though (those of you who know me are going all ‘gee, duh RILLY, Donna. We’d never have guessed!'). If I feel my concerns are being fluffed off by any of my Healer Pit Crew (a wickedly RARE occurrence, mind you) I’ve got no prob saying ‘yo, over here—you payin’ attention or what?’ Not everyone is gonna be all bumptiously attentive to their own needs though. Going to the doc, especially for a big ass thing like neurofibromatosis type 2, can be scary as all hell. It can even inspire yours-ever-so-truly to timidity at times.

Having my metaphorical head patted and hands held is needed. It’s BIG. But I have to be cosseted in ways I can understand—in a manner that works for my crazy-ass unique self.

My Neurotologist  Michael McKenna? All good, stellar even, reviews—everywhere I looked. Of course!

Not every bones/employer/friend//barista/Facebook acquaintance is gonna be the right fit for us. Life is about exploration and discovery. Get some.