The Validity of Online Patient Ratings of Physicians: Analysis of Physician Peer Reviews and Patient Ratings.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Information from ratings sites are increasingly informing patient decisions related to health care and the selection of physicians.

Objective

The current study sought to determine the validity of online patient ratings of physicians through comparison with physician peer review.

Methods

We extracted 223,715 reviews of 41,104 physicians from 10 of the largest cities in the United States, including 1142 physicians listed as "America's Top Doctors" through physician peer review. Differences in mean online patient ratings were tested for physicians who were listed and those who were not.

Results

Overall, no differences were found between the online patient ratings based upon physician peer review status. However, statistical differences were found for fo

SUBMITTER: McGrath RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5913572 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature