Looking for an exceptional doctor? If you're like most people, you rely on word of mouth. You can also go online to look up health care providers in your community and find out how they rate.
Before you get started, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- These sites use only patient reviews to rank doctors. This means the ratings are based more on opinion than data showing how well a doctor provided treatment or care.
- Some rating websites may promote doctors who have a paid rather than a free profile.
- If you have questions, ask your health care providers. They can help explain what the rankings may mean -- and what they don't mean.
- Use the information to help you decide. But don't rely on it entirely. Consider what else you know, too.
You’ll want to do some homework so you know what the ratings mean. Here’s a look at three health care rating websites and how their reviews work.
HealthGrades.com
Reviews: Doctors, dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, psychologists, and other specialists
Rating format: Percentage of patients that recommend the health provider. Each professional is ranked based on the criteria you selected for sorting.
What you can find: A list of specialists near you that you can sort based on what's most important to you. For instance, you can sort by quality and patient feedback, type of insurance they accept, distance from you, and the doctor's gender.
Details you can see: Directions and maps. How long health professionals have been in practice, their education and training, licensing and certification, how many office locations they have, hospital affiliations, what types of insurance they cover, languages spoken, and whether they are accepting new patients.
What the rating is based on: Online patient satisfaction reviews.
What you can do: You can look up a rating or add a review. You can rate the doctor's staff and wait time. You can also rate how well the doctor listens and explains medical conditions. The site uses a 5-star rating system.
Note: This website takes paid advertisements from providers. Doctors that have paid a fee to the website are listed at the top of your search as “featured."
RateMDs.com
Reviews: Patient ratings for doctors, dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, psychologists, and other specialists
Rating format: A scoring system up to 5.
What you can find: A specialist near you, the gender you prefer, one that's accepting new patients, one that's rated.
Details you can see: When the doctor was last reviewed, number of ratings, average rating out of 5, educational background, hospital affiliations, languages spoken.
What the rating is based on: Online patient-satisfaction reviews.
What you can do: You can look up a rating or add a review. You can rate the doctor's staff and wait time. You can also rate how helpful and knowledgeable the doctor is. The site uses a 5-point rating system.
Note: This website takes paid advertisements from doctors.
Vitals.com
Reviews: Patient reviews of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, psychologists, and other specialists
Rating Format: Four-star system including traits like promptness, bedside manner, and follow-up.
What you can find: A doctor or dentist by name, specialty, and condition to see what other patients have said about them. Vitals also spotlights doctors who consistently get high rankings with a badging system, such as People's Choice and Top 10 doctors. You can also find the doctor's credentials, locations, hospital affiliations, education, whether they are accepting new patients, and the insurance they accept.
What the rating is based on: Online patient-satisfaction reviews.
What you can do: You can look up a rating or add a review. You can use the 4-point ranking system to rate the doctor by promptness, accurate diagnosis, bedside manner, and time spent with you.
Note: This website takes paid advertisements from doctors. Doctors who advertise are listed at the top of your search as “sponsored”.