Should patients post reviews of doctors?

Posted: Tuesday, Jun. 02, 2009

Karen Garloch writes on Health for The Charlotte Observer. Her column appears each Monday.
E-mail Karen Garloch (704) 358-5078

Angie's List was started 14 years ago to provide consumers with a list of home contractors and reviews by people who had used their services.

Just over a year ago, the Indianapolis-based company expanded to include reviews of doctors and other health-care professionals, an addition that co-founder Angie Hicks says has been very popular with subscribers.

Hicks, who visited Charlotte last week, said the number of health-care categories on the list has tripled to 150, and about a quarter of the postings are now related to health care. Read the rest of the story by clicking here...

I'm curious to know what you alll think of this---------I have posted positive reviews of both of my physicians, Dr. Carr (hormonal care) and Dr. Hines (pain management physician in Huntersville). While the temptation is great to post nasty reviews of a few physicians/health care providers I have had in the past, it's not something I would do. I would, however, post that I was very unhappy with a physician's care and that I wouldn't return to his/her office. I also would not sign a waiver/gag order as described in the article.

Didn't even know this site existed!

I knew there was a Ratemyprof website for students to rate their college professors, but until this article popped up on the Yahoo News site, I did not know there was a site for rating a doctor. Good thing I don't live in the past, boy, could I vent about some of the jackass doctors I've had in the past. However, I am now one blessed puppy to have two excellent physicians, Dr. Mark Hines is my pain managment physician here in NC, and Dr. John Carr, of course, is my BHRT doctor in CA. I did the rating for Dr. Carr just a few minutes ago, comments are limited to 1000 characters. This is what I wrote:

Dr. Carr's extensive knowledge of bioidentical hormone therapy is why I travel from NC to CA to remain his patient. He listens to his patient, takes time needed to deal the concerns, and is one of those rare physicians who treats patients, not lab results. Since under his care, the quality of my health has dramatically improved, and I credit his help, along with the biodentical hormone replacement therapy, with the improvements. Our health care system needs more professionals who are willing to think outside the box in terms of treatment modalities. Dr. Carr is also very knowledgeable about supplements and the lifestyle changes necessary to live an active, healthy, long life. He practices what he preaches, takes care of himself, takes BHRT, and works out regularly. As a patient, I find that comforting. Do yourself a favor, you do not have to feel sick and tired all the time, explore the benefits of bioidentical hromones and make an appointment with Dr. Carr.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think of these sites! I'm not sure what to think, in some ways they can be useful, but the anonymity is a little disconcerting. I know a lot of women are still burning up the Oprah.com website trying to find recommendations for bioidentical hormone doctors with varying degrees of success.

If I didn't find satisfaction, I wouldn't leave a comment on a website, but I would likely write the doctor a letter telling him why I wouldn't return to his practice (and I have done this). In one extraordinary instance, I blew a doctor in to the Social Security Administration, my Congressman and Senator, and the State Medical Board, and he got fired, but it was because he had received multiple complaints. It was a long time ago, and although I was ultimately relieved to find that he was no longer working at the facility, it was an emotional, upsetting situation and I hope to never have to repeat it.