New Canadian Doctor Rating Site

[mcrawford]

I just found http://www.ratemymd.ca

It's one of those doctor rating sites but specific to Canadian doctors.
I personally don't like my doctor and gave him a bad review.

 

[Niflmir]

I think its pretty dangerous for non-medical persons to rate medical practitioners. It doesn't really matter how nice you think your doctor is, or how well you think your doctor practices medicine, or how hot your doctor is. What really matters is how well your doctor can diagnose and treat disorders in reality, a judgment which requires a lot of qualifications. So I think, statistics could prove me wrong I suppose.

Anyways, caveat emptor.

 

[Zzarchov]

Not at all, sites like this are far more important than you might think. I've met my fair share of doctors who were unproffessional, incompetant (couple of times I would have died if a pharmacist hadn't caught their blindingly stupid mistakes, I just checked off the "allergic to penicillin" box on the form you made me fill out, its the only box filled out, why did he prescribe me penicillin?)

Likewise alot of doctors have issues with religious coercion or other unproffessional behaviour. My wifes old doctor heavily pressured her (and tried to refuse to prescribe her bc) to have kids and give up her job, saying thats the role of a catholic woman. We decided we'd rather just not have a doctor.

 

[Kreskin]

I own a site that serves as a meeting place for certain medical patients. While we allow a degree of ranting, we discourage negative physician reviews because it's impossible to determine who is sitting behind the computer making the reviews, and even if they are identifiable the physicians are in no position to defend themselves. I'm not comfortable with the concept.

 

[karrie]

The problem with sites like these is the imbalance that results, because angry people seek out ways to punish, while people content with their doctor often don't take the time to seek out a way to rate them.

Some of the best docs I've ever had were jerks. But they knew their job, and did it well. I'd hate to see the ratings they get from people who just want sugar coated bull from their docs.

 

[Niflmir]

I own a site that serves as a meeting place for certain medical patients. While we allow a degree of ranting, we discourage negative physician reviews because it's impossible to determine who is sitting behind the computer making the reviews, and even if they are identifiable the physicians are in no position to defend themselves. I'm not comfortable with the concept.

Yeah, I hadn't even thought about that really. If an anecdote amounts to malpractice then the site becomes accountable for slander charges and without being able to track down the author and verify the actual event there isn't much of a way out of that one.

 

[Kreskin]

Yeah, I hadn't even thought about that really. If an anecdote amounts to malpractice then the site becomes accountable for slander charges and without being able to track down the author and verify the actual event there isn't much of a way out of that one.

I've had doctors call me expressing concerns about certain posts. It's often where they know who it is but have their hands tied to say anything. Yes, I removed them so as not to have lawyers breathing down my neck. But for all we know some could be made by incompetent professionals looking for more patients. It's impossible to know precisely what the circumstances are behind the posts.

 

[Tonington]

What it boils down to as some have alluded to here is accountability. Having a legitimate beef is one thing, abusing such a system through malicious intent is another. The very nature of these systems makes accountability impossible. Doctors are going to make mistakes, that's a given. I think there ought to be some disclaimer on any viewing page of comments, that would be the honest way to go about and this site has none.

 

[Zzarchov]

The problem I have is doctors are not themselves very accountable for mistakes unless it harms someone. No amount of "Almost killed thank god for the nurse/pharmacist/other doctor" ever amounts to negligence.

Thus nothing is done until they ACTUALLY harm someone.

 

[Kreskin]

That's just it Paul, how one can ascertain what is a legitimate beef or malicious post is difficult to do.

 

[Niflmir]

I think accountability is a problem these days all over the place. The problem is that the people generally who determine accountability are the people we want to hold accountable. The government, doctors, lawyers, the police; who holds them accountable? Heck, I suppose I should also mention, scientists. Its tough.

 

[karrie]

The problem I have is doctors are not themselves very accountable for mistakes unless it harms someone. No amount of "Almost killed thank god for the nurse/pharmacist/other doctor" ever amounts to negligence.

Thus nothing is done until they ACTUALLY harm someone.

I had a melt down the one day when a bad scrip that could have killed me was caught by the pharmacist.

The pharmacist, very firmly, said in no uncertain terms.... 'You want your doc's head full of the diagnostic knowledge. Our job is the chemical and dosage side. It's that way for a reason, and we're taught to catch the mistakes for a reason.'

 

[Tonington]

If someone does have a legitimate concern, there are routes which can be explored. A doctor like any other professional belongs to a organization which has the authority to revoke membership, in this case the license to practice medicine. If the mistake is grave, and outside the norms of standard operating procedure, there are punishments.

Posting on a website where there is no oversight, no investigation, and no chance for the doctor to explain themselves is not helpful. How would anyone feel if a customer came to them with a preconceived notion, and was scrutinizing every minute detail, perhaps even to the point of belligerence?

I'll admit right now that I am somewhat of a hypocrite. I posted on one of those websites before. I can't remember precisely what I wrote, I think it was more to do with scheduling appointments than actual patient care. After some careful reflection, I wish I hadn't.

 

[hermanntrude]

we found our current family doctor using that site. She's excellent, and we're glad for the site.

 

[Kreskin]

The problem is there are too many ways to make bogus claims, positive or negative. With professional livelihoods at stake I think those sites are playing with fire.

Also, check Dr Johns most recent review. I guess he'll for ever be the worst rated even though the guy made a mistake.

Dr. David Johns as rated on 2007-10-22.
Punctuality:

Medical Knowledge:

The Secretary:

Understanding, Caring, Helpfulness:

Post Appointment Action:

Comment: I have been a type 1 diabetic for 25 years. Dr. Johns has been my family doctor for the past 10 years. He has allways worked well with my diabetic doctor. He is very careful and spot on whenever I require a specialist or tests. Somehow he is able to get me in with very little delay. He is greatly appreciated and respected by me and my family.

 

[tracy]

The problem I have is doctors are not themselves very accountable for mistakes unless it harms someone. No amount of "Almost killed thank god for the nurse/pharmacist/other doctor" ever amounts to negligence.

Thus nothing is done until they ACTUALLY harm someone.

That's true for all medical workers (including nurses and pharmacists).

I don't like sites like these. I've seen too many disgruntled patients bitch and moan about doctors, nurses and hospitals when they had no reason to. Unfortunately, because of patient confidentiality laws, the docs, nurses and hospitals can't defend themselves.

 

[hermanntrude]

The problem is there are too many ways to make bogus claims, positive or negative. With professional livelihoods at stake I think those sites are playing with fire.

Also, check Dr Johns most recent review. I guess he'll for ever be the worst rated even though the guy made a mistake.

Dr. David Johns as rated on 2007-10-22.
Punctuality:

Medical Knowledge:

The Secretary:

Understanding, Caring, Helpfulness:

Post Appointment Action:

Comment: I have been a type 1 diabetic for 25 years. Dr. Johns has been my family doctor for the past 10 years. He has allways worked well with my diabetic doctor. He is very careful and spot on whenever I require a specialist or tests. Somehow he is able to get me in with very little delay. He is greatly appreciated and respected by me and my family.

that IS a shame. People should be very careful when they write their reviews. However, perhaps the system can be set up so that one cannot search for a doctor by ratings alone? After all the idea is supposed to be to find a doctor, check that they aren't evil and insane, then go register

 

[Outta here]

If someone does have a legitimate concern, there are routes which can be explored. A doctor like any other professional belongs to a organization which has the authority to revoke membership, in this case the license to practice medicine. If the mistake is grave, and outside the norms of standard operating procedure, there are punishments.

That's correct Tonnington, the College of Physicians and Surgeons in whatever region you're in will accept and investigate all such complaints. I understand the investigation process itself is fairly rigorous. The only drawback (I believe?) is that one cannot contact the College and inquire as to whether or not your Doctor has ever had a complaint lodged against him/her - nor what the results of any investigations may have been. I could be wrong, but I have at one time worked for a college of a medical profession, and the only ones that info would be released to is another college or other licensing body where the practitioner was moving to - thus requiring verifications of certs. That info was a standard inquiry upon relocation of a practitioner, but never do I recall it being released to the general public.

Maybe it should work like the Better Business Bureau. They'll provide info as to the number and nature of complaints and results of same if you're shopping for a reputable product or service.

 

[amagqira]

Reminds me the story told to me many years ago about the importance of a good bedside manner:

Two physicians finished medical school, A was the top student, aced every subject and brilliant in diagnosis. B was a very average student and just managed to scrape through medical school, but was a nice affable guy who related well to people.

They both started offices in the same building and a year later B was so busy, he was turning people away, whereas A was paying his rental with difficulty. Swallowing his pride, he walked over to B and asked: "I was always the best student and no malice intended, but you were always at the bottom of the group. Why are you so successful, whereas I'm struggling?"

B asked A to come to the window and said " Do you see those people, 95% of them do not know the first thing about medicine and come to see me. The 5% that actually knows something about medicine, go to you."

nuff said.

 

[Curiosity]

Sometimes humans have widely varied opinions of the same individual - especially an individual who becomes significant in their lives such as a doctor might be.

Whether grading them can give an honest collection of data remains to be seen, it seems to be the kind of reputation making poll rather than how a person can expect successful treatment or not through their skills.

Why we visit a doctor is to be healed or to prevent illness is it not? Whether we think they are kind or rude or on time or late, I wonder if it really matters.