What Kind of Online Ratings Do You Get?
Love them or hate them, websites that solicit and post physician ratings, such as Yelp, Healthgrades, Vitals, and ZocDoc, are here to stay. Many physicians feel that the online review systems place doctors on the same level as restaurants, hotels, and airlines, turning the sacred art of medicine into a mere commodity. Others regard these reviews as flawed and unfair, making it even tougher to practice medicine.
Although it can be difficult to address a negative review once it's been posted, it's not impossible. A far easier tack, however, is to take steps to increase your chances of receiving a positive review in the first place. One highly effective strategy is to be proactive about patient satisfaction in all aspects of your practice, says Leslie Hack, MBA, Director of Operations at MD Success, LLC, a New Jersey-based consulting firm for physician practices and ambulatory surgical centers.
Physicians' focus, however, must go beyond merely seeking a good review, says Jack Chou, MD, who is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
"I prefer to focus on the patient care experience. Yes, we're in the healthcare business, but it's not just a 'business,'" he says. "Engaging patients and delivering patient-centered care are intrinsically part of being a doctor." And, as a bonus, "their positive feedback can help earn you an A+."
Taking the right steps to build your reputation can mean the difference between so-so grades and earning five stars. Here are six ways to help ensure you come out a winner.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Batya Swift Yasgur. 6 Ways to Get Patients to Rate You A+ - Medscape - Mar 02, 2016.
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