Most of the recommendations I get from neighbors are based upon the doctor's personality and the neighbors gut feel. So I treat these recommendations (to use or to avoid the doctor) with a large grain of salt.
Researching the internet is also a"crap shoot" as so nicely outlined in the original post to this discussion.
What's left? Maybe we could create a Consumer's Medical Rating score card. Rating to be based upon facts only and not feelings. I envision things like:
Diagnosed disease other doctor(s) missed.
Missed diagnosing a disease other doctor caught.
Prescribed wrong medication
Starts session late (how often - how late)
Office performance should be as follows: (records up to date and correct- billing smoothly-only authorized individuals in the office are allowed to say anything that relates to your medical condition - appointments are not cancelled frequently- etc)
Credentials - these are readily available but the person who fills out the score card should include credentials if possible. Credentials should include universities attended, degrees attained, internship location, years of practice, published works, advance education, special seminars, board certifications (distinguish between certified and certifiable). Wouldn't it be nice if they were required to publish their grades.
Maybe each category should be graded either satisfactory, unsatisfactory or unknown. If unsatisfactory, an explanation would be given.
Perhaps a doctor with poor performance record should be offered a chance to refute the score card. I would guess no doctor would bother to do that unless there was a large distribution of the score card in his market area. (I know what market area the doctors I see wish to serve.
)
I wonder about the legal aspects of this. Can one be sued for publishing a list like this?
Anyone have any thoughts on this.
Regards,
John