Rating MDs: Round 2

I was thinking about the previous posting and hoping that people think that I don't believe patients shouldn't express their health needs and goals. I do believe that patients should take charge of their bodies and take more responsibility for their health. I have always advocated for my patient, often in the face of an angry MD.

I just believe that a site like Rating MDs dot com doesn't really help doing what it says it does - finding a good MD. The opinions expressed by the commentators are totally subjective. For one thing - I don't know how a patient could possibly rate an MD's "Knowledge"- which is one of the categories, by the way.

 They could give an opinion based on what knowledge they have gleaned elsewhere (suspect if taken from a source that is questionable) or from what another professional has stated. But, sometimes one MD's opinion will differ with another....not that either are wrong - it is just that medicine is not an exact science.

For example - on what basis of knowledge can patients judge whether a test should or shouldn't be done? And, how many times have comments by an MD or RN are either not heard, taken out of context or even interpreted and passed on incorrectly.

Here is more food for thought. I quote one article about the site:
"Doctors say that the Internet has forced them to manage their images instead of spending time, say, reading medical journals. The review process could affect how doctors interact with patients--putting more emphasis on making sure patients like them than on assessing medical problems and how to fix them."

I am thinking that the first sentence of the quote is a little exaggerated - I can't see an MD abandoning all learning due to a website. But I can see an MD doing the latter - sprucing up the image and making all efforts to be personable - while spending less time on the all-important things.

Certainly a patient can make a comment on their experience, how they were treated, how long they had to wait or what they have observed as behaviors in staff....but even then, that observation may be open to interpretation. What one patient observes as "rudeness" may be "friendliness" to another. I can see that in the comments on my own MD's site. Opinions are strong on both sides -attack and defense.

All I know, is that if someone starts up a site rating RNs - I know that there will be patients who will spill their guts on the site. Statistics, my friend! And - I am not so sure I would like my name on there.

Not everyone will have a good experience in the hospital. Not everyone has a great outlook on life. Not every druggie will get their fix on the hour like they want. Sometimes it is so busy, I can't get to the next patient in a timely manner like I should. Sometimes I will forget that medication that I promised to get for you because of that code in the next room. Not every day is going to be a good day for me either - and hopefully I don't take it out on anyone else - but we are all only human. Poop happens.

And, I certainly would take offence at comments made about my knowledge base. Remember that RN that abandoned her patient in my post previously? Mostly, her patients loved her. I know some RNs that are very good nurses but because they aren't social butterflies - the patient doesn't warm up to them. What kind of rating would they get?

It's only my opinion but I would prefer that patients give feedback -- both positive and negative -- to me personally. That way, I can try to correct something I have done or explain a little better to the patient to ensure they understand.

In the end, though, sometimes, you just can't please everyone - and I just wouldn't want that reflected on the internet where the world can see.