Why the Web Lacks Authoritative Reviews of Doctors

Excerpt from an article in

The New York Times

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Why the Web Lacks Authoritative Reviews of Doctors

By RON LIEBER

For all the debate about which Web sites have the best model for reliable reviews — paid or unpaid, anonymous or real name, Angie’s List or Yelp or TripAdvisor — one thing is certain: a robust ecosystem exists online for restaurant and hotel reviews that has changed those industries for the better.

So it is puzzling that there is no such authoritative collection of reviews for physicians, the highest-stakes choice of service provider that most people make.

Sure, various Web sites like HealthGrades and RateMDs have taken their shots, and Yelp and Angie’s List have made a go of it, too. But the listings are often sparse, with few contributors and little of substance.

What we have here is a demand and supply problem: many people want this information, and more consumers would trust it if the sites had more robust offerings. But not enough people take the time to review their doctors. And fixing that problem means figuring out why.

Companies have tried to collect reviews of doctors since the early days of the Web, and RateMDs.com has gathered more than most. The founder, John Swapceinski, was inspired to create it after his success with a site called RateMyProfessors.com, which is well known for the “hotness” rating that college students assign (or not) to their teachers.

“Anything that people spend time or money on ought to be rated,” he said. RateMDs now has reviews of more than 1,370,000 doctors in the United States and Canada.

But getting in the faces of the previously untouchable professional class has inevitably led to legal threats. He says he gets about one each week over negative reviews and receives subpoenas every month or two for information that can help identify reviewers, who believe they are posting anonymously.

Optimism About Year Ahead

News release from General Electric:

31 January 2012

Construction Equipment Dealers Optimistic About Year Ahead, GE Capital Survey Reveals

77% of respondents say the best time to increase inventory levels is first half

IRVING, TX – Construction equipment dealers are looking forward to improving trends in 2012 while acknowledging the challenges facing the industry, according to survey results released today by GE Capital, Dealer Finance.

Forty percent of respondents said they expect sales to increase 3%-5% this year, while 25% said they expect sales to increase 6%-8%. A full 77% said the best time to increase inventory is within the first half of 2012.

At the same time, 57% cited slack demand for new construction – both residential and commercial – as the biggest hurdle that construction equipment distributors have to overcome this year.

Slightly more than half of respondents said improvement in the U.S. economy will have the greatest impact on the construction industry. The other important factors affecting the industry are access to credit for end users (23%) and reauthorization of the federal highway spending bill (20%).

When asked what single category of construction equipment they believe will be in greatest demand this year, 37% cited earthmoving equipment and 23% cited specialty equipment such as pavers, compactors, drills, crushers and grinders.

The full survey results are available here:http://www.gelending.com/misc/Construction_Flash_Survey_Results_1-12.pdf

To stay on top of developing trends, participants can sign up for GE Capital’s Construction Industry Research Monitor here:http://www.americas.gecapital.com/insights-ideas/industry-research-monitor

“We’re dedicated to helping our customers be successful,” said Kristi Webb, commercial leader of GE Capital, Dealer Finance. “In addition to financing, we provide construction industry insights and expertise to help dealers and end-users tackle their biggest challenges so they can thrive in the year ahead.”

The Construction Equipment Distributor Survey of 65 respondents was conducted Jan. 18-19, 2012. Respondents included a variety of construction industry participants.

About GE Capital, Dealer FinanceGE Capital’s Dealer Finance business provides commercial leases and loans ranging from $5,000 to $25 million for the wholesale and retail financing of equipment to thousands in North America in over 12 industries. With long-term relationships and dedicated channel support, Dealer Finance works with small, medium and large enterprises as well as state and local governments. From web-based application submittals to online account management, its dedicated industry professionals bring knowledge and expertise to every relationship.

GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visitwww.gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital).

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.