Use of Online Physician Ratings and Reviews by Older U.S. Adults: Results of a National Survey
Authors: Jeffrey T. Kullgren, Preeti N. Malani, Matthias Kirch, Dianne Singer, Erica Solway, David A. Hanauer
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2021)

LettersAugust 2021Use of Online Physician Ratings and Reviews by Older U.S. Adults: Results of a National SurveyJeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH, Preeti N. Malani, MD, MSJ, Matthias Kirch, MS, Dianne Singer, MPH, Erica Solway, PhD, MPH, MSW, and David A. Hanauer, MD, MSJeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPHVA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan School of Public Health, and University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Preeti N. Malani, MD, MSJUniversity of Michigan Medical School and University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Matthias Kirch, MSUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dianne Singer, MPHUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and Child Health Evaluation and Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Erica Solway, PhD, MPH, MSWUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and David A. Hanauer, MD, MSUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MichiganAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/M20-7600 Annals Author Insight Video - Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH In this video, Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH, offers additional insight into the article, "Use of Online Physician Ratings and Reviews by Older U.S. Adults: Results of a National Survey." (Duration 2:44) SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Online physician ratings and reviews are increasingly available to the public through commercial rating sites and health systems (1). However, the information on these sites can vary in detail (2) and provides little insight into the clinical context or technical quality of encounters. Although older adults visit physicians more than any other age group in the United States (3), little is known about how they use and perceive online ratings and reviews when choosing physicians.Objective: To measure and identify characteristics associated with use and perceptions of online physician ratings and reviews among U.S. adults aged 50 to 80 ...References1. Findlay SD. Consumers' interest in provider ratings grows, and improved report cards and other steps could accelerate their use. Health Aff (Millwood). 2016;35:688-696. [PMID: 27044970] doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1654 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Lagu T, Metayer K, Moran M, et al. Website characteristics and physician reviews on commercial physician-rating websites. JAMA. 2017;317:766-768. [PMID: 28241346] doi:10.1001/jama.2016.18553 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Ashman JJ, Rui P, Okeyode T. Characteristics of office-based physician visits, 2016. National Center for Health Statistics; 2019. NCHS data brief no. 331. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db331.htm on 11 August 2020. Google Scholar4. Hanauer DA, Zheng K, Singer DC, et al. Public awareness, perception, and use of online physician rating sites. JAMA. 2014;311:734-735. [PMID: 24549555] doi:10.1001/jama.2013.283194 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Burkle CM, Keegan MT. Popularity of internet physician rating sites and their apparent influence on patients' choices of physicians. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:416. [PMID: 26410383] doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1099-2 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan School of Public Health, and University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MichiganUniversity of Michigan Medical School and University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MichiganUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MichiganUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and Child Health Evaluation and Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MichiganUniversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MichiganDisclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. government.Financial Support: In part by the AARP and Michigan Medicine. Support was also provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Health Services Research and Development Service. Dr. Kullgren was a VA HSR&D Career Development awardee at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M20-7600.Reproducible Research Statement: Study protocol: Not available.Statistical code and data set: Available from Dr. Kullgren (e-mail, [email protected]umich.edu).Corresponding Author: Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH, VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0170; e-mail, [email protected]umich.edu.This article was published at Annals.org on 13 April 2021. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement Annals Author Insight Video - Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH In this video, Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH, offers additional insight into the article, "Use of Online Physician Ratings and Reviews by Older U.S. Adults: Results of a National Survey." (Duration 2:44) FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics August 2021Volume 174, Issue 8Page: 1180-1182KeywordsDisclosureElderlyHealth careHealth services researchMedical conditionsMedical educationReproducibilitySexual identityStatistical dataVeteran care ePublished: 13 April 2021 Issue Published: August 2021 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2021 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...