Public Awareness and Use of German Physician Ratings Websites: Cross-Sectional Survey of Four North German Cities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physician rating websites (PRWs) allow patients to rate, comment, and discuss physicians' quality. The ability of PRWs to influence patient decision making and health care quality is dependent, in part, on sufficient awareness and usage of PRWs. However, previous studies have found relatively low levels of awareness and usage of PRWs, which has raised concerns about the representativeness and validity of information on PRWs.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to examine (1) participants' awareness, use, and contribution of ratings on PRWs and how this compares with other rating websites; (2) factors that predict awareness, use, and contribution of ratings on PRWs; and (3) participants' attitudes toward PRWs in relation to selecting a physician.

Methods

SUBMITTER: McLennan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5701087 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature