Websites where doctors are rated

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Websites where doctors are rated

By Shari Roan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-ratingside19-

2008may19,0,2587131.story

Websites that rate and review doctors, and sometimes other health

professionals, have sprung up in recent years as patients have

extended the consumer-empowerment movement into the healthcare field.

Here's a sampling:

* www.RateMDs.com

This free site for consumers was launched in 2004 by the founder of

RateMyProfessors .com. It provides a 1-to-5 rating scale in four

areas: staff, punctuality, helpfulness and knowledge. Consumers can

add anonymous comments and join a member forum to chat about a doctor.

* www.DrScore.com

Founded in 2005 by a doctor, the site allows consumers to rate

doctors anonymously using a 1-to-10 numerical scale. Only aggregate

ratings are posted. Safeguards make it impossible for patients to

skew results by repeatedly rating a doctor. Doctors can subscribe to

more detailed reports that analyze the data provided by consumers.

* www.Healthgrades.com

Healthgrades began as a pay-based service, but about 90% of

information on doctors is now free, including doctors' education,

training, which insurance plans they accept, group practice

information and aggregate numerical patient satisfaction ratings. The

site does not post anonymous consumer comments. Some physician

profiles include videos of the doctors explaining their approach to

healthcare. Consumers can order a physician quality report, which

includes additional information such as board certification,

malpractice judgments and fee information for $29.95.

* www.vitals.com

A free service for consumers that provides three types of information

on doctors: consumer ratings and comments, credentials and

experience, and doctor-peer reviews. Doctors can contribute

information on themselves to the site. The site also helps consumers

select an appropriate doctor for their specific symptoms or condition.

* www.nursesrecommenddoctors.com

A free service for consumers that enlists nurses to provide anonymous

ratings and reviews of doctors they work with or who have cared for

them or family members. Nurses rate doctors using criteria such as

communication and rapport, competence and experience, and whether the

doctor treats his or her staff with care and respect. The site lets

patients and doctors provide input as well.

* www.angieslist.com

A membership-based service that allows consumers who join to rank and

review various service providers, from gardeners to doctors, they

have hired in their local areas. Service providers are ranked with a

letter grade from A to F on price, quality, responsiveness,

punctuality and professionalism. Dues for consumers are $5.25 per

month.