Experts Wary of Overreliance on Online Physician Ratings
Although health experts say the use of online physician ratings systems will become more common as insurers and employers work to control medical costs, they caution that ratings systems are overly simplified and lack standardized ratings criteria. Insurer-provided ratings systems typically consider physicians based on two factors: quality of care and cost. The ratings frequently lack information that might be more important to consumers, such as a measure of physicians' interpersonal skills and their likelihood of remaining on schedule.
- "Insurers and Ratings Groups Post Information To Help Patients Choose Doctors" (Andrews, Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, 8/3).