Online Physician Reviews Support Engagement, Improved Care

Transparency of patient experience data drives improved provider performance and enables more patient-centered care.


Transparency of patient experience data drives improved provider performance and enables more patient-centered care.

That is the conclusion of a new report from healthcare consultancy Press Ganey. The report, “Transparency Strategies: Online Physician Reviews for Improving Care and Reducing Suffering,” profiles three health systems that implemented their own physician-review web sites to more accurately present data and allow patients to make informed choices about their care.

The report presents key findings gleaned from University of Utah Health Care, Piedmont Healthcare, and Wake Forest Baptist Health, all of whom first attained physician agreement and support for the initiative. Posting physician ratings online led to measurable performance improvement across multiple metrics including patient engagement, physician alignment and online search visibility.

Press Ganey said the early adopters, while at different stages in implementation, shared four common characteristics that contributed to their success:

*A core focus on patient-centered care with data transparency as a tool to enhance that focus

*Access to a robust amount of patient experience data to address physicians’ data validity concerns

*A graduated implementation strategy beginning with sustained internal data transparency prior to public reporting

*Strong executive leadership commitment to transparency and communication across the enterprise

“Patients are increasingly relying on physician reviews to make decisions about where and from whom they receive care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO, Press Ganey. “By publicly reporting statistically valid results—including comments—organizations have the ability to deliver the information their patients seek while also building alignment and engagement among physicians.”

The report is available here (registration required).