What do patients say about their physicians? an analysis of 3000 narrative comments posted on a German physician rating website.

Emmert M, Meier F, Heider AK, Dürr C, Sander U (2014)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Health policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Book Volume: 118

Pages Range: 66-73

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.04.015

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nPhysician rating websites (PRWs) could be shown to have an impact on physician choice making. However, little research has been carried out to assess the content and nature of narrative comments.\nOBJECTIVE\nThe aim of this study was to explore the concerns of patients who commented on physician care and to address and enhance patient satisfaction.\nMETHODS\nContent analysis of 3000 randomly selected narrative comments from the German PRW, jameda, from 2012. We therefore developed a theoretical categorization framework addressing physician, staff, and practice related patient concerns.\nFINDINGS\nIn total, 50 sub-categories addressing the physician (N=20), the office staff (N=13), and the practice (N=17) were derived from the content of all comments. The most frequently mentioned concerns were assessing the professional competence of the physician (63%, N=1874) and friendliness of the physician (38%, N=1148). Thereby, 80% of all comments (mean length 45.3 words ± 42.8) were classified as positive, 4% as neutral and 16% as negative.\nCONCLUSION\nUsers of the German PRW, jameda, are mostly satisfied with their physicians. However, physicians should focus on the time spent with the patients, waiting time, as well as on taking the patients more seriously.

Authors with CRIS profile

Martin Emmert Juniorprofessur für Versorgungsmanagement Florian Meier Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement Ann-Kathrin Heider Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement

Involved external institutions

Hochschule Hannover (HsH) / University of Applied Sciences Hannover DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Emmert, M., Meier, F., Heider, A.-K., Dürr, C., & Sander, U. (2014). What do patients say about their physicians? an analysis of 3000 narrative comments posted on a German physician rating website. Health policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 118(1), 66-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.04.015

MLA:

Emmert, Martin, et al. "What do patients say about their physicians? an analysis of 3000 narrative comments posted on a German physician rating website." Health policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 118.1 (2014): 66-73.

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