biostudies-literatureUnknown18(6)Rothenfluh F<h4>Background</h4>Web users are increasingly encouraged to rate and review consumer services (eg, hotels, restaurants) and, more recently, this is also the case for physicians and medical services. The resemblance in the setup and design of commercial rating websites (CRWs) and Web-based physician rating websites (PRWs) raises the question of whether choice-making processes based on the two types of websites could also be similar.<h4>Objective</h4>This qualitative study sought to explore the extent to which consumer decision making based on Web-based reviews is the same for consumer services (ie, choice of a hotel) and health services (ie, choice of a pediatrician), while providing an in-depth understanding of potential differences or similarities.<h4>Methods</h4>Between June and August 2Journal of medical Internet researche129https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4929347biostudies-literatureConsumer Decision-Making Based on Review Websites: Are There Differences Between Choosing a Hotel and Choosing a Physician?PMC4929347Schulz PJRothenfluh FGermeni EfalseConsumer Decision-Making Based on Review Websites: Are There Differences Between Choosing a Hotel and Choosing a Physician?<h4>Background</h4>Web users are increasingly encouraged to rate and review consumer services (eg, hotels, restaurants) and, more recently, this is also the case for physicians and medical services. The resemblance in the setup and design of commercial rating websites (CRWs) and Web-based physician rating websites (PRWs) raises the question of whether choice-making processes based on the two types of websites could also be similar.<h4>Objective</h4>This qualitative study sought to explore the extent to which consumer decision making based on Web-based reviews is the same for consumer services (ie, choice of a hotel) and health services (ie, choice of a pediatrician), while providing an in-depth understanding of potential differences or similarities.<h4>Methods</h4>Between June and August 22016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Jun2025-04-19T02:37:20.259Z2025-04-19T02:37:20.259ZS-EPMC49293472731162310.2196/jmir.5580