Special Report: Do Doctors Measure Up? Survey Finds Physicians Very Wary Of Doctor Ratings

A majority of physician leaders view online physician ratings as inaccurate, unreliable and not widely used by the patients they serve.

Those are among the findings of a new American College of Physician Executives survey about physician rating systems that was sent to 5,624 ACPE members primarily working in hospitals, health systems and group practices. About 730 responded to the 21-question survey which was conducted in October and November, and many also elected to post comments about the ratings.

Results showed that many physician leaders view online reviews as little more than popularity contests. Complaints of sampling bias, invalid measurements of competency and frustration steered many respondents away from checking the rating sites. Survey results also showed that physicians were skeptical of external ratings performed by agencies such as Press Ganey, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and The Joint Commission, although they are viewed more favorably than online consumer sites. The survey also gauged feelings about internal ratings, which earned much more favorable reviews...