johnnymk

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9942584

CHICAGO (AP) - Some doctors are fighting back against angry online reviews by patients.

A North Carolina-based outfit called Medical Justice is working with doctors to set up a system of waivers, whereby patients agree up front, in writing, not to post reviews critical of a doctor's treatment or ability.

Web sites like RateMDs and Angie's List carry postings anonymously. One review described a doctor as "very unhelpful and arrogant" and "happy to have power" over suffering people.

Medical Justice founder, Dr. Jeffrey Segal, says Web rants provide the opposite of good information for patients and can ruin a good doctor's reputation.

But Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks, says, "Everyone has the right to speak up." She says such sites are 1 of the few resources patients have to evaluate physicians.

The American Medical Association has taken no position one way or the other, although association president Dr. Nancy Nielsen says online reviews should be taken with a grain of salt.

Jeffbx

I don't see how these are any different from professor ratings at universities, or store ratings, or product ratings, etc.

Doctors aren't above being criticized. They need to realize that they're performing a service, and they are NOT infallable or irreplacable. At most, I'd give the doc the ability to respond to criticisms, but I would never agree that they need to be blocked altogether.

brainsmile

I don't mind that I'm reviewed as a professor.

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