Study: Online Physician Ratings Valuable to Patients

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that 59% of respondents say physician-rating websites are at least "somewhat important" when selecting a physician. Although that figure has increased from a few years ago, U.S. residents still prioritize other factors, such as location and insurance coverage, when selecting a doctor.

• "Most People Say Rating Sites 'Important' When Picking Doctors" (Seaman, Reuters, 2/18).
• "Ratings a Factor When Choosing Physician" (Pittman, "The Gupta Guide," MedPage Today, 2/18).
• "Do You Check Online Doctor Ratings? 1 in 4 Consumers Do" (Painter, USA Today, 2/18).