About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Online Ratings of Otolaryngologists Examined in New Study

by Kathy Jones on May 30, 2014 at 5:10 PM
Font : A-A+

 Online Ratings of Otolaryngologists Examined in New Study

New research suggests that many otolaryngologists have online profiles on physician-rating websites. The research also said that while most reviews are positive, physicians need to be aware of the content because patients use the information to choose physicians.

Author: Lindsay Sobin, M.D., and Parul Goyal, M.D., M.B.A., of the SUNY Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse, N.Y.

Advertisement

Background: Patients use the Internet as a resource for health care information. Physician-rating websites are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, many physicians view these rating websites unfavorably.

How the Study Was Conducted: The authors sought to examine online ratings for otolaryngologists. The names of academic program faculty members in the Northeast were compiled and 281 faculty members from 25 programs were identified. Of them, 266 otolaryngologists had a profile on Healthgrades and 247 had a profile on Vitals, two physician-rating websites.
Advertisement

Results: Of those otolaryngologists with profiles, 186 (69.9 percent) and 202 (81.8 percent) had patient reviews on Healthgrades and Vitals, respectively. The average score was 4.4 of 5.0 on Healthgrades and 3.4 of 4.0 on Vitals. On Vitals, 179 profiles had comments, 49 comments were deemed negative and 138 otolaryngologists had at least one negative comment.

Discussion: "The information presented in this study is related to subjective perceptions and ratings. We are not suggesting that the rating information correlates with the quality of care or overall physician quality. This is an intrinsic limitation of the data, but these data are being used by patients to potentially make decisions about their health care professionals. For these reasons, these ratings hold weight, even if they are not good measures of overall physician quality." (JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online May 29, 2014. doi:10.1001/.jamaoto.2014.818. Available pre-embargo to the media atmedia.jamanetwork.com.)

Editor's Note: Please see article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Media Advisory: To contact corresponding author Parul Goyal, M.D., M.B.A., call 315-254-2030 or email syracuseoto@gmail.com. An author podcast with Lindsay Sobin, M.D., will be available on the JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery website.

Source: Eurekalert
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest General Health News

 People Living Close to the Seaside Enjoy Better Health
Direct coastal access may represent a viable route to public health promotion, but the relationships of coastal living are not strongest among lower-income groups.
 Over Four Million Gardeners Place Their Hearing in Danger
New research by Tinnitus UK has found that over four million gardeners are putting their hearing capacity at risk this summer without using safety protection.
Breaking the Barrier: Unraveling Mucus Plugs to Save Lives in COPD
Mucus plugs could be targeted to help reduce fatalities from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
 Disease Modifying Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis Continue to Drive Up Healthcare Cost
The development of reliable curative therapies for multiple sclerosis could significantly reduce the economic burden of the disease on patients and wider society.
 New Genetic Variant Provides Protection Against Alzheimer's Disease
A genetic variant in a patient protected from autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) suggests a role for RELN signaling in resilience to dementia.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Online Ratings of Otolaryngologists Examined in New Study Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests