Once a year I put my body under the metaphorical and literal microscope and visit every doctor my insurance company allows (i.e., gen. pract., dentist, eye, etc.). I do this because in the grand scheme of things, it's just a good idea and staying on top of any potential small problems is better than having to overhaul the entire system.
Well, I have moved since 2008's Doctorfest and was recently faced with finding a new set of explorers to check my vitals. Historically, I have found the doctor search like a blindfolded person throwing darts at a bulls-eye...not always on target. In the last 3 years - at the time of my last search - online "rating" communities weren't robust enough to provide much help (remember, Zagat's was big, but limited to restaurants...and the BBB has always sucked). Nowadays, there are a few popular - and even more niche - social communities that serve to help consumers figure out what's best for all sorts of sellers and services.
I decided to let Yelp guide my search this year, and I'm happy to say that all 4 doctors I chose based on positive reviews (and my PPO) were successful ones...although time will ultimately determine this, of course. (note: beware of extreme reviews of 1 or 5...the 2,3,4 stars are the normal people)
I have informed other businesses in the past that Yelp was my referral mechanism and they have politely asked that I review their stores accordingly. I usually only happily comply when I have a uniquely positive experience and leave the complaints for others (for right or for wrong).
I was shocked however when 2 of the 4 Dr.'s I visited asked unsolicited if Yelp led me to them (at this point they knew I was a new patient). My new dentist even noted that many people on Yelp say they come back because of his dog which roams the office (I won't mention names or question sanitation standards).
Thinking about this more while getting my mouth cut apart and nostrils scoped, I resolved that bad doctors should be very scared! It's a nuisance to keep switching doctors, particularly when you have limits to how many you can visit per given time period...and it's even more annoying to have to: find out whose in your network, fill out all new paperwork, have your history faxed over to a new doctor, etc. It's like saying to the old one, "sorry doc, but you're fired." Awkward!
With my latest Yelp experience, it seems easier to get your doctor right the first time, and it presents a lower "barrier to exit" when you decide to switch (since you know this could thankfully be the last time you need to change). Well, if that's the case, all those crotchety, non-compliant, and no-it-all doctors who think they have their clients (i mean, patients) trapped and confused better be ready to quickly change their wicked ways.
People are passionate about their healthcare and information is traveling faster than ever. 30 second out of the doctor's office and a patient's experience may be posted for the world's review. This is quite powerful and it puts a tremendous amount of control in the hands of patients. So next time you book an appointment with your doctor(s), if the normal 1 or 2-month wait has shrunk to 1 or 2 days, hop online...perhaps you weren't getting a good quality of healthcare all along...
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