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Researching Doctors Online Here s How To Do it Right

Website ratings and reviews matter to older adults research shows

Julian Ward/Getty Images from the University of Michigan's “National Poll on Healthy Aging.” And among those who checked ratings in the past year, 65 percent did so to read up on a doctor they were considering, and 34 percent did so to find a new physician, the survey found. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "There may be an assumption that [online ratings] are really more for a younger generation. But the older adults, they utilize health care more, and this shows [online ratings] are a relatively important source of information for them,” says David Hanauer, a physician and clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan, who contributed to the research. How long it takes to get an appointment and the practitioner's years of experience are two of the most important factors adults take into consideration when selecting a physician, the survey found. But online ratings matter, too — almost as much as recommendations from family and friends, respondents said. "It's just showing that these ratings are really becoming an integral part of the way people are making decisions these days, for any age,” Hanauer adds.

Best practices for finding a physician online

Typing a quick query into a web browser is simple enough, but landing on the right doctor isn't a guarantee. Here are some best practices. Use a trusted site. The internet is a crowded place, so if you're browsing doctor ratings and reviews online, be sure to do so on a reputable site, advises David Meyers, a family physician and chief physician for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > Take reviews with a grain of salt. Plenty of consumers look at physician reviews online, but few write reviews or leave ratings, the survey revealed. And typically, it's the patients who are extremely happy or unhappy who post reviews, which can cause the results to be biased, explains Robert McLean, a rheumatologist and president of the American College of Physicians (ACP). The key is to use the information in online reviews and ratings as “part of a larger picture,” the AHRQ's Meyers says, especially since health care needs are so individualized. Pay attention to the reason behind the rating, and “recognize whether the person's issues are your own,” Meyers advises. If you don't need a doctor who speaks fluent Spanish, for example, a glowing review for a physician's ability to communicate in another language may not be helpful. "If you're somebody who wants to get in and out fast because you don't like going to doctors’ offices and waiting, how much time the doctor spends with you might be less important” than finding a practitioner who doesn't keep his patients waiting, Meyers adds. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. and concerns you want the provider to address, as patients who “go in with a list of questions tend to be more satisfied with the care they eventually receive,” Meyers points out. If there are no red flags during the initial visit, schedule a follow-up to see how things go. “It's about developing that relationship over time, in person,” Meyers emphasizes. That said, if you're less than impressed with the doctor or don't feel at ease, keep searching until you find the right one. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS