Kaiser publishes physician ratings
Patients at Kaiser Permanente – or those considering a Kaiser health plan – can now see how other patients have rated their physicians.
Kaiser announced on Wednesday that it’s now publishing online patient ratings and reviews of its more than 1,300 physicians.
The move makes Kaiser the first Oregon physician group – and one of only a few groups nationwide – to share the information with consumers, according to Kaiser.
The reviews website, Kaiser Permanente Real Reviews, is www.kp.org/doctorreviews/nw.
Kaiser officials said they launched the new resource to provide transparency to members and prospective members.
“We know patients have choices and often turn to the Internet for information about health care and physicians,” said Dr. Imelda Dacones, CEO and executive medical director of Kaiser’s physician group, in a news release. “We want to give them the most thorough and accurate picture possible as they make important decisions about which providers they’ll choose.”
The ratings are based on answers patients provide on an independent after-visit survey. The surveys are sent weekly to a random sample of patients who had recent medical visits with primary care, specialty care, mental health, urgent care and emergency medicine providers.
The website shows the providers’ overall rating (based on a five-star system) and comments patients provided on their surveys.
Take a look at Dr. Terry Williams, for example. Williams is a family medicine provider at the Orchards Kaiser clinic.
Based on 173 patient surveys, Williams received a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Patients rated their wait time, as well as whether they felt included in decisions. They also rated Williams’ concern for worries, explanations and time spent with the patient.
Below the rating summary is a list of comments patients provided.
In addition to the patient ratings and reviews, the website includes physician bios and information about providers’ specialties, training and certification.
Marissa Harshman
I'm the health reporter for The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver, Wash. I started at The Columbian -- my hometown newspaper -- in September 2009. Reach me at marissa.harshman@columbian.com or 360-735-4546.