Monday, February 5th, 2007...2:34 pm

Healthcare News – Online Community News: Healthcare Pros Getting Trashed on the Web

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Last Month Berkley Rice over at Medical Economics Magazine (an Advantastar pub,) did a story on physicians "Trashed on the web? Now what?"   [A personal thanks to Dr. Kevin for the pointer.] The article covers the problem doctors are facing in today’s Internet where physicians are rated, in open community (or forum) web sites by anonymous posters (who are supposedly patients.) Doctors have little ability to either defend themselves and their reputation from unfair comments and criticisms. In a survey they posted asking:

"If you were trashed on a Web site for rating doctors, what would you do?" The answers of the 78 responders were:

* Ignore it. Most of these posts are anonymous, and I doubt they are taken seriously. 39 people or 50%
* Contact the Web site and ask to post a rebuttal. 26 people of 33%
* Contact the Web site and threaten legal action if they don’t take down the post 13 people or 17%

As someone who has spent far more time than I could share here working in both healthcare and online community, I can tell you the current system of web sites are highly flawed. The potential for abuse and unfair attack is considerable, as well as the long term effect it could have on a doctors professional credentials if not used appropriately. Many doctors and healthcare workers who blog have been regularly attacked by hordes of online posters who apply the scorched earth process of trying to beat someone down, with little or no knowledge of what they are talking about.

In my experience as an online community moderator and operator with more than 20 years of experience, a new twist on the old tried and true model would alleviate about 85% of the problems being encountered. It could even lead to the potential for physicians and patients even communicating better– but that takes at least two willing parties. Most of today’s physician rating services don’t even come close.

Should some group want to start this type of site– you’re willing to listen, I’m available to come onboard or consult.

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Comments

Filed under Healthcare, Online Community

  • RosaLinda
    I would love to see a site where patients and physicians could talk about physician's as well as patient's concern.

    I have been to a forum where physicians are rated. The forum is full of people who bash physicians for problems ranging from: having them wait in the outer office to botched surgeries.

    There are those who try to explain, from the proffesional point of view, but most of the posters are there to vent their frustrations. Some of the frustration and anger is understandable. But we need a site where there can be a dialoge that will lead to better communication between physician and patient.

    Rosalinda
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