Finding the right doctor can feel very confusing when you are new to the United States. Where do you even start looking?
One helpful tool is online review websites where previous patients share their experiences with different doctors. This gives you insider information to help pick a doctor that is a good match for you.
In this post, we will explain everything you need to know about using online reviews to choose a doctor as an immigrant. Here is what we will cover:
Popular doctor review websites and what you can find on them
Tips for spotting real vs fake reviews
How to interpret star ratings and key factors patients evaluate
Red flags and limitations to keep in mind
Other resources beyond reviews to consider
Finding Doctor Review Websites
There are many websites where patients can leave feedback on their doctors. Three popular options are:
Healthgrades.com
Healthgrades.com is one of the largest online platforms for reviewing doctors in the United States. They have over 3 million physician reviews and ratings for nearly every doctor in the country.
On Healthgrades, you can find primary care doctors, specialists, dentists, and other providers near you. You can filter and compare by:
- Specialty (family medicine, pediatrics, OBGYN, etc.)
- Gender
- Languages spoken (English, Spanish, Chinese, etc.)
- Distance from you
- Types of insurance accepted
- Hospital affiliations
- Whether they are accepting new patients
Listings provide extensive details about each doctor such as:
- Medical school and residency training
- Board certifications and awards
- Years of experience
- Number and locations of offices
- Conditions treated and procedures performed
- Patient satisfaction ratings
- Verified patient reviews
Pros of Healthgrades:
- Huge database of doctors across all specialties
- Lots of filtering options to find a good fit
- Detailed credentials and background on each doctor
- Percentage of patients who would recommend the doctor
Cons to note:
- Doctors can pay for sponsored placement at top of results
- Some patient reviews may not seem fully credible
- Does not rate doctor’s actual medical competence
While Healthgrades includes extensive physician information and patient reviews, you should still take the rankings and reviews with a grain of salt, and use them as one factor along with your other research on doctors’ qualifications.
RateMDs.com
RateMDs allows patients to leave reviews and ratings to evaluate doctors, dentists, specialists, hospitals, and other health providers. They have over 2 million ratings and reviews for 750,000 doctors across the United States and Canada.
On RateMDs, you can search for providers by name or near your location. You can filter by specialty, gender, language, and insurance plans covered.
Listings provide information like:
- Medical education and residencies
- Specialties and procedures performed
- Hospital affiliations and office locations
- Laguages Spoken
- Years of experience
- Accepting new patients
- Types of insurance accepted
Each doctor has an overall quality score out of 5 based on patient ratings across different criteria like bedside manner, staff, appointment punctuality, and trust. Patients can leave reviews explaining their experiences and ratings for the doctors on a 5-star scale.
Pros of RateMDs:
- Large database of reviewed providers
- Reviews from verified patients
- Can compare ratings among doctors
- See the number and consistency of ratings
Cons to consider:
- Doctors can pay to be “featured” listings
- No ‘languages spoken” feature
- Some reviews may be fake or biased
- Ratings reflect patient experience, not medical competence
In summary, RateMDs provides patient ratings and reviews that offer helpful insights into the patient experience. But you should take into account your concerns and potential biases, and use the ratings as one data point along with other factors when choosing a doctor.
Vitals.com
Vitals.com allows patients to find and review doctors, dentists, and other healthcare service providers. They have over 8 million patient reviews and ratings across 900,000 medical professionals.
On Vitals, you can search for providers by name, location, or specialty. You can filter by:
- Specialty (primary care, OBGYN, dermatology, etc.)
- Gender
- Languages spoken
- Whether they are accepting new patients
- Types of insurance accepted
Listings include details like:
- Medical education and training
- Board certifications
- Hospital affiliations
- Office locations
- Conditions treated
- Procedures performed
Each doctor has an overall rating out of 5 stars based on patient reviews. Patients rate specific criteria like bedside manner, promptness, and accurate diagnosis.
Pros of Vitals:
- Large database of reviewed medical providers
- Spotlights top-rated “People’s Choice” doctors
- See number and consistency of patient ratings
- Details on doctor credentials and experience
Cons to note:
- Doctors pay to be “sponsored” listings at top
- Some reviews may seem exaggerated or fake
- Ratings are subjective patient opinions
Check Google My Business Listings
In addition to specialized doctor review websites, you can also find useful information about local healthcare providers on Google My Business.
Google My Business is a free tool that allows businesses and organizations to manage their listings on Google Search and Maps. Most doctors and medical practices now have listings.
On a doctor’s Google My Business page, you may find:
- Address, phone number, website
- Office hours
- Services offered
- Pictures of office/staff
- Patient ratings and reviews
Looking up a doctor on Google Maps can show you their overall rating from patients, and clicking on the listing will show details and individual reviews.
Pros of Google My Business listings:
- Easy to find basic info on local doctors
- See ratings and reviews in Google Search results
- Information comes directly from the doctor’s office
- Can get directions and driving/transit times to office
Cons to note:
- Details and number of reviews can be more limited
- Doctors can choose which reviews to publish
- Does not include full credentials, specialties etc.
Use Google My Business as a final evaluation of patient testimonials for selecting a great doctor as these reviews will often provide you information on the clinic and entire staff and their level of care and not just the doctor.
Evaluating the Reviews
How can you tell if online reviews for a doctor are credible? Here are signs of reliable, honest reviews:
- Specific details and examples provided
- Balance of pros and cons
- Reviews seem authentic, not staged
- From multiple reviewers over time
Watch out for reviews that seem fake:
- Very short or vague
- Over-the-top praise or harsh criticism
- Many reviews suddenly added
- From brand new accounts
It is important that you focus on trends from multiple reviews, and not just one or two comments. Specifically, pay attention to both positive and negative feedback to get a balanced view.
Also look at reviews for the doctor’s staff and front desk staff experiences, not just the doctor. A well-run office with professional staff can make a big difference!
Interpreting Star Ratings
Many review sites use a 5-star rating system for patients to evaluate doctors. A higher star rating is generally a great experience and means more positive reviews.
Specific factors rated often include:
- Bedside manner – how the doctor treats you
- Accurate diagnosis and treatment
- Time spent explaining and answering questions
- Friendliness of office staff
- Patients are seen in a timely manner
A doctor with a 4-star average rating usually means mostly good reviews. But look for outliers too. A few negative reviews among many excellent ones is likely fine.
Keep in mind the ratings only reflect patients’ experiences. They do not rate technical or professional medical skills.
Red Flags and Limitations on Reviews for a Primary Care Physician
While reviews can be very helpful, here are some cautions to keep in mind:
- Doctors may only show positive reviews on their own sites. Look at independent review platforms for balance.
- Discrimination can skew reviews, especially toward doctors of color. Consider carefully.
- Reviews show patient satisfaction, which is subjective. They do not evaluate medical expertise.
- Privacy breaches are a concern. Reviews shouldn’t disclose private health details.
- Some doctors pay for top placement on review sites. Focus on the content, not ordering.
Also Consider The Following When Looking for a Doctor
While reviews are a useful tool, also consider:
- Personal referrals from friends, community members, local groups
- Checking physician licenses, credentials, and certifications
- Using reviews to narrow down choices, is not the only factor
Key Takeaways on Finding Your New Family Doctor
Here are some main points to remember about using online reviews to choose a doctor:
- Popular doctor review sites help you evaluate patient experiences.
- Look for credible, detailed reviews from multiple users over time.
- Star ratings show patient satisfaction on factors like bedside manner.
- Consider negative reviews carefully, but don’t focus only on outliers.
- Look for reviews that also discuss the doctor’s medical assistant and support staff
- Reviews are useful but have limitations. Combine with other resources.
Finding the Best Doctors and Medical Care is Just a Review Away
Picking the right doctor is very important for your health and peace of mind. Online reviews are a great tool to learn from other patients’ experiences as you navigate the healthcare system in a new country. There are many doctors across the U.S. who are extremely professional, provide a pleasant experience and have genuine concern for their patients.
We hope these tips help you use reviews wisely in finding a doctor you feel comfortable with.
