Doctors Asking Patients for Reviews: A Self-Promotion Tool or Patient Care Enhancement?

It is increasingly common for healthcare providers to request that their patients leave reviews. This practice raises questions about the motives behind it and its overall impact on patient care. While some may see it as a self-promotion tactic, others believe it can help improve the quality of care and transparency in the medical field.

Unusual Practice, but Not Uncommon

The request for patient reviews is not a standard practice for most clinics. Typically, it is employers or insurance providers who ask for reviews. However, some clinics and medical organizations, like Kaiser, actively encourage patients to provide feedback. In my case, as a former employee of Kaiser for 23 years, our clinicians and management were kept informed about these reviews. The clinic would often take remedial action based on the feedback received.

One might argue that feedback is a valuable tool for improvement. By getting a sense of what patients believe about their care, medical professionals can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. Positivity can, in turn, incentivize patients to rate clinicians positively, as they are more likely to continue treatment.

Positive Feedback as a Marketing Tool

After each visit to a medical facility, whether it's a routine check-up or a follow-up appointment, I receive an email request for feedback. These requests not only include assessments of the doctor but also of other staff encountered. Often, these emails include a rating system from one to five, with 5 being the highest.

When a positive review is submitted, it eventually makes its way to the website of the doctor mentioned. However, negative reviews seem to be less common and more filtered. The reasons for this include dissatisfaction still being mitigated and the likelihood of future care, which may influence individuals to be less candid with their feedback.

A high rating of 4.9/5 can be a significant marketing tool for doctors. It suggests not only that the majority of patients are satisfied with the care provided but also that the treatment received is of a high standard. This can be especially advantageous for doctors who are accepting new patients.

A Balancing Act

The key to successful doctor-patient reviews lies in maintaining a balance between self-promotion and patient care. While requesting reviews can help improve medical services by providing valuable insights, it is also crucial to ensure that the process is transparent and fair. Patients must be confident that their feedback will be taken into account and acted upon.

Ultimately, the decision to request patient reviews is one that should be made with the patient's best interest in mind. If the aim is to improve the quality of care and foster a culture of open communication, positive feedback can be a valuable tool. On the other hand, if it is merely used for self-promotion, it may not be seen as beneficial.

As a former healthcare employee, I believe that feedback is indeed a useful mechanism for improvement. However, it should be utilized ethically and responsibly to maintain trust and confidence in the medical profession.