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Guetz B, Bidmon S. The Credibility of Physician Rating Websites: A Systematic Literature Review. Health Policy 2023; 132:104821. [PMID: 37084700 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Increasingly, the credibility of online reviews is drawing critical attention due to the lack of control mechanisms, the constant debate about fake reviews and, last but not least, current developments in the field of artificial intelligence. For this reason, the aim of this study was to examine the extent to which assessments recorded on physician rating websites (PRWs) are credible, based on a comparison to other evaluation criteria. METHODS Referring to the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across different scientific databases. Data were synthesized by comparing individual statistical outcomes, objectives and conclusions. RESULTS The chosen search strategy led to a database of 36,755 studies of which 28 were ultimately included in the systematic review. The literature review yielded mixed results regarding the credibility of PRWs. While seven publications supported the credibility of PRWs, six publications found no correlation between PRWs and alternative datasets. 15 studies reported mixed results. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that ratings on PRWs seem to be credible when relying primarily on patients' perception. However, these portals seem inadequate to represent alternative comparative values such as the medical quality of physicians. For health policy makers our results show that decisions based on patients' perceptions may be well supported by data from PRWs. For all other decisions, however, PRWs do not seem to contain sufficiently useful data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Guetz
- Department of Marketing and International Management, Alpen-Adria- Universitaet Klagenfurt, Universitaetsstrasse 65-67, Klagenfurt am Woerthersee, 9020, Austria.
| | - Sonja Bidmon
- Department of Marketing and International Management, Alpen-Adria- Universitaet Klagenfurt, Universitaetsstrasse 65-67, Klagenfurt am Woerthersee, 9020, Austria
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Chan E, Korotkaya Y, Osadchiy V, Sridhar A. Patient Experiences at California Crisis Pregnancy Centers: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Online Crowd-Sourced Reviews, 2010-2019. South Med J 2022; 115:144-151. [PMID: 35118505 DOI: 10.14423/smj.0000000000001353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are nonprofit antiabortion organizations that claim provision of pregnancy resources. With the Reproduction Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency Act repealed, CPCs are no longer mandated to share information on state-funded family planning and abortion services. As patients increasingly seek healthcare guidance online, we evaluated crowd-sourced reviews of CPCs using the social networking site Yelp. METHODS CPCs were identified with the CPC Map, a geo-based location resource. Of California's 145 CPCs, 84% had Yelp pages, and 619 reviews (2010-2019) were extracted. Thematic codes were individually applied to 220 excerpts and then analyzed in detail using thematic analysis to capture emergent themes related to motivations for and experiences of CPCs. To ensure thematic saturation, we applied a natural language-processing technique called the meaning extraction method to computationally derive themes of discussion from all of the extracted posts. RESULTS Motivations to seek care from CPCs included pregnancy confirmation, gaps in healthcare coverage, parenting and emotional support, and abortion care. A review of experiences reveal that CPC faith-based practice garnered both positive- and negative-based experiences. Reviewers also articulated inaccurate medical information, lack of transparency, and reduced options at CPCs. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to analyze California CPCs using a social media platform. Pregnant patients turn to social media to share experiences about pregnancy resources, to find healthcare providers, and to increase transparency of services. This content provides valuable insight into the concerns of pregnant patients and offers an intimate view of California CPCs at a time when no federal regulations are in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Chan
- From the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Yelena Korotkaya
- From the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Vadim Osadchiy
- From the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Aparna Sridhar
- From the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles
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Rahim AIA, Ibrahim MI, Chua SL, Musa KI. Hospital Facebook Reviews Analysis Using a Machine Learning Sentiment Analyzer and Quality Classifier. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:1679. [PMID: 34946405 PMCID: PMC8701188 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9121679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While experts have recognised the significance and necessity of social media integration in healthcare, no systematic method has been devised in Malaysia or Southeast Asia to include social media input into the hospital quality improvement process. The goal of this work is to explain how to develop a machine learning system for classifying Facebook reviews of public hospitals in Malaysia by using service quality (SERVQUAL) dimensions and sentiment analysis. We developed a Machine Learning Quality Classifier (MLQC) based on the SERVQUAL model and a Machine Learning Sentiment Analyzer (MLSA) by manually annotated multiple batches of randomly chosen reviews. Logistic regression (LR), naive Bayes (NB), support vector machine (SVM), and other methods were used to train the classifiers. The performance of each classifier was tested using 5-fold cross validation. For topic classification, the average F1-score was between 0.687 and 0.757 for all models. In a 5-fold cross validation of each SERVQUAL dimension and in sentiment analysis, SVM consistently outperformed other methods. The study demonstrates how to use supervised learning to automatically identify SERVQUAL domains and sentiments from patient experiences on a hospital's Facebook page. Malaysian healthcare providers can gather and assess data on patient care via the use of these content analysis technology to improve hospital quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afiq Izzudin A. Rahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Mohd Ismail Ibrahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Sook-Ling Chua
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Multimedia University, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya 63100, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kamarul Imran Musa
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
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Patient Satisfaction Determinants of Inpatient Healthcare. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111337. [PMID: 34769856 PMCID: PMC8582779 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyse and evaluate the determinants influencing the overall satisfaction of patients with inpatient healthcare in the conditions of the Czech Republic. A total of the 1425 patients, who experienced hospitalisation and agreed to participate, were questioned in the study. A research questionnaire was used to obtain data on satisfaction with hospitalisation. The subject of the research consisted of the indicators related to the following factors: (i) satisfaction with the hospital, clinic, room and meals; (ii) satisfaction with medical staff-nurses, physician expertise and other staff; (iii) the quality of the treatment provided; (iv) satisfaction with leaving the hospital. The formulated statistical hypotheses were evaluated through structural equation modelling. The results of the analyses brought interesting findings. Satisfaction with medical staff is the most significant factor which has a positive effect on satisfaction with hospitalisation. Physician expertise (with trust and good communication skills) is more important for patients than satisfaction with nurses or other staff. The results obtained from the study represent valuable information for policymakers, regional healthcare plans, as well as for managers of hospitals.
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Rahim AIA, Ibrahim MI, Musa KI, Chua SL, Yaacob NM. Patient Satisfaction and Hospital Quality of Care Evaluation in Malaysia Using SERVQUAL and Facebook. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:1369. [PMID: 34683050 PMCID: PMC8544585 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9101369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Social media sites, dubbed patient online reviews (POR), have been proposed as new methods for assessing patient satisfaction and monitoring quality of care. However, the unstructured nature of POR data derived from social media creates a number of challenges. The objectives of this research were to identify service quality (SERVQUAL) dimensions automatically from hospital Facebook reviews using a machine learning classifier, and to examine their associations with patient dissatisfaction. From January 2017 to December 2019, empirical research was conducted in which POR were gathered from the official Facebook page of Malaysian public hospitals. To find SERVQUAL dimensions in POR, a machine learning topic classification utilising supervised learning was developed, and this study's objective was established using logistic regression analysis. It was discovered that 73.5% of patients were satisfied with the public hospital service, whereas 26.5% were dissatisfied. SERVQUAL dimensions identified were 13.2% reviews of tangible, 68.9% of reliability, 6.8% of responsiveness, 19.5% of assurance, and 64.3% of empathy. After controlling for hospital variables, all SERVQUAL dimensions except tangible and assurance were shown to be significantly related with patient dissatisfaction (reliability, p < 0.001; responsiveness, p = 0.016; and empathy, p < 0.001). Rural hospitals had a higher probability of patient dissatisfaction (p < 0.001). Therefore, POR, assisted by machine learning technologies, provided a pragmatic and feasible way for capturing patient perceptions of care quality and supplementing conventional patient satisfaction surveys. The findings offer critical information that will assist healthcare authorities in capitalising on POR by monitoring and evaluating the quality of services in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afiq Izzudin A. Rahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Mohd Ismail Ibrahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Kamarul Imran Musa
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Sook-Ling Chua
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Multimedia University, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya 63100, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Najib Majdi Yaacob
- Unit of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, Health Campus, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;
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A. Rahim AI, Ibrahim MI, Musa KI, Chua SL, Yaacob NM. Assessing Patient-Perceived Hospital Service Quality and Sentiment in Malaysian Public Hospitals Using Machine Learning and Facebook Reviews. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9912. [PMID: 34574835 PMCID: PMC8466628 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Social media is emerging as a new avenue for hospitals and patients to solicit input on the quality of care. However, social media data is unstructured and enormous in volume. Moreover, no empirical research on the use of social media data and perceived hospital quality of care based on patient online reviews has been performed in Malaysia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of positive sentiment expressed in hospital Facebook reviews in Malaysia, as well as the association between hospital accreditation and sentiments expressed in Facebook reviews. From 2017 to 2019, we retrieved comments from 48 official public hospitals' Facebook pages. We used machine learning to build a sentiment analyzer and service quality (SERVQUAL) classifier that automatically classifies the sentiment and SERVQUAL dimensions. We utilized logistic regression analysis to determine our goals. We evaluated a total of 1852 reviews and our machine learning sentiment analyzer detected 72.1% of positive reviews and 27.9% of negative reviews. We classified 240 reviews as tangible, 1257 reviews as trustworthy, 125 reviews as responsive, 356 reviews as assurance, and 1174 reviews as empathy using our machine learning SERVQUAL classifier. After adjusting for hospital characteristics, all SERVQUAL dimensions except Tangible were associated with positive sentiment. However, no significant relationship between hospital accreditation and online sentiment was discovered. Facebook reviews powered by machine learning algorithms provide valuable, real-time data that may be missed by traditional hospital quality assessments. Additionally, online patient reviews offer a hitherto untapped indication of quality that may benefit all healthcare stakeholders. Our results confirm prior studies and support the use of Facebook reviews as an adjunct method for assessing the quality of hospital services in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afiq Izzudin A. Rahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Mohd Ismail Ibrahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Kamarul Imran Musa
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Sook-Ling Chua
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Multimedia University, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya 63100, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Najib Majdi Yaacob
- Units of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;
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A. Rahim AI, Ibrahim MI, Musa KI, Chua SL. Facebook Reviews as a Supplemental Tool for Hospital Patient Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Hospital Accreditation in Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147454. [PMID: 34299905 PMCID: PMC8306730 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Patient satisfaction is one indicator used to assess the impact of accreditation on patient care. However, traditional patient satisfaction surveys have a few disadvantages, and some researchers have suggested that social media be used in their place. Social media usage is gaining popularity in healthcare organizations, but there is still a paucity of data to support it. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between online reviews and hospital patient satisfaction and the relationship between online reviews and hospital accreditation. We used a cross-sectional design with data acquired from the official Facebook pages of 48 Malaysian public hospitals, 25 of which are accredited. We collected all patient comments from Facebook reviews of those hospitals between 2018 and 2019. Spearman’s correlation and logistic regression were used to evaluate the data. There was a significant and moderate correlation between hospital patient satisfaction and online reviews. Patient satisfaction was closely connected to urban location, tertiary hospital, and previous Facebook ratings. However, hospital accreditation was not found to be significantly associated with online reports of patient satisfaction. This groundbreaking study demonstrates how Facebook reviews can assist hospital administrators in monitoring their institutions’ quality of care in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afiq Izzudin A. Rahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Mohd Ismail Ibrahim
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-97676621; Fax: +60-97653370
| | - Kamarul Imran Musa
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia; (A.I.A.R.); (K.I.M.)
| | - Sook-Ling Chua
- Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Persiaran Multimedia, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya 63100, Selangor, Malaysia;
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Khan G, Kagwanja N, Whyle E, Gilson L, Molyneux S, Schaay N, Tsofa B, Barasa E, Olivier J. Health system responsiveness: a systematic evidence mapping review of the global literature. Int J Equity Health 2021; 20:112. [PMID: 33933078 PMCID: PMC8088654 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01447-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organisation framed responsiveness, fair financing and equity as intrinsic goals of health systems. However, of the three, responsiveness received significantly less attention. Responsiveness is essential to strengthen systems' functioning; provide equitable and accountable services; and to protect the rights of citizens. There is an urgency to make systems more responsive, but our understanding of responsiveness is limited. We therefore sought to map existing evidence on health system responsiveness. METHODS A mixed method systemized evidence mapping review was conducted. We searched PubMed, EbscoHost, and Google Scholar. Published and grey literature; conceptual and empirical publications; published between 2000 and 2020 and English language texts were included. We screened titles and abstracts of 1119 publications and 870 full texts. RESULTS Six hundred twenty-one publications were included in the review. Evidence mapping shows substantially more publications between 2011 and 2020 (n = 462/621) than earlier periods. Most of the publications were from Europe (n = 139), with more publications relating to High Income Countries (n = 241) than Low-to-Middle Income Countries (n = 217). Most were empirical studies (n = 424/621) utilized quantitative methodologies (n = 232), while qualitative (n = 127) and mixed methods (n = 63) were more rare. Thematic analysis revealed eight primary conceptualizations of 'health system responsiveness', which can be fitted into three dominant categorizations: 1) unidirectional user-service interface; 2) responsiveness as feedback loops between users and the health system; and 3) responsiveness as accountability between public and the system. CONCLUSIONS This evidence map shows a substantial body of available literature on health system responsiveness, but also reveals evidential gaps requiring further development, including: a clear definition and body of theory of responsiveness; the implementation and effectiveness of feedback loops; the systems responses to this feedback; context-specific mechanism-implementation experiences, particularly, of LMIC and fragile-and conflict affected states; and responsiveness as it relates to health equity, minority and vulnerable populations. Theoretical development is required, we suggest separating ideas of services and systems responsiveness, applying a stronger systems lens in future work. Further agenda-setting and resourcing of bridging work on health system responsiveness is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gadija Khan
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Health Policy and Systems Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nancy Kagwanja
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome-Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Eleanor Whyle
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Health Policy and Systems Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucy Gilson
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Health Policy and Systems Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sassy Molyneux
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome-Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Tropical medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nikki Schaay
- University of the Western Cape, School of Public Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Benjamin Tsofa
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome-Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Edwine Barasa
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome-Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Tropical medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jill Olivier
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Health Policy and Systems Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Liu C, Uffenheimer M, Nasseri Y, Cohen J, Ellenhorn J. "But His Yelp Reviews Are Awful!": Analysis of General Surgeons' Yelp Reviews. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e11646. [PMID: 31038463 PMCID: PMC6658237 DOI: 10.2196/11646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients use Web-based platforms to review general surgeons. However, little is known about the free-form text and structured content of the reviews or how they relate to the physicians’ characteristics or their practices. Objective This observational study aimed to analyze the Web-based reviews of general surgeons on the west side of Los Angeles. Methods Demographics, practice characteristics, and Web-based presence were recorded. We evaluated frequency and types of Yelp reviews and assigned negative remarks to 5 categories. Tabulated results were evaluated using independent t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis to determine associations between the number of total and negative reviews with respect to practice structure and physician characteristics. Results Of the 146 general surgeons, 51 (35%) had at least 1 review and 29 (20%) had at least 1 negative review. There were 806 total reviews, 679 (84.2%) positive reviews and 127 (15.8%) negative reviews. The negative reviews contained a total of 376 negative remarks, categorized into physician demeanor (124/376, 32.9%), clinical outcomes (81/376, 22%), office or staff (83/376, 22%), scheduling (44/376, 12%), and billing (44/376, 12%). Surgeons with a professional website had significantly more reviews than those without (P=.003). Surgeons in private practice had significantly more reviews (P=.002) and more negative reviews (P=.03) than surgeons who were institution employed. A strong and direct correlation was found between a surgeon’s number of reviews and number of negative reviews (P<.001). Conclusions As the most common category of complaints was about physician demeanor, surgeons may optimize their Web-based reputation by improving their bedside manner. A surgeon’s Web presence, private practice, and the total number of reviews are significantly associated with both positive and negative reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Liu
- The Surgery Group of Los Angeles, Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Meka Uffenheimer
- The Surgery Group of Los Angeles, Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yosef Nasseri
- The Surgery Group of Los Angeles, Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jason Cohen
- The Surgery Group of Los Angeles, Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Joshua Ellenhorn
- The Surgery Group of Los Angeles, Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Hong YA, Liang C, Radcliff TA, Wigfall LT, Street RL. What Do Patients Say About Doctors Online? A Systematic Review of Studies on Patient Online Reviews. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e12521. [PMID: 30958276 PMCID: PMC6475821 DOI: 10.2196/12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The number of patient online reviews (PORs) has grown significantly, and PORs have played an increasingly important role in patients’ choice of health care providers. Objective The objective of our study was to systematically review studies on PORs, summarize the major findings and study characteristics, identify literature gaps, and make recommendations for future research. Methods A major database search was completed in January 2019. Studies were included if they (1) focused on PORs of physicians and hospitals, (2) reported qualitative or quantitative results from analysis of PORs, and (3) peer-reviewed empirical studies. Study characteristics and major findings were synthesized using predesigned tables. Results A total of 63 studies (69 articles) that met the above criteria were included in the review. Most studies (n=48) were conducted in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and the remaining were from Europe, Australia, and China. Earlier studies (published before 2010) used content analysis with small sample sizes; more recent studies retrieved and analyzed larger datasets using machine learning technologies. The number of PORs ranged from fewer than 200 to over 700,000. About 90% of the studies were focused on clinicians, typically specialists such as surgeons; 27% covered health care organizations, typically hospitals; and some studied both. A majority of PORs were positive and patients’ comments on their providers were favorable. Although most studies were descriptive, some compared PORs with traditional surveys of patient experience and found a high degree of correlation and some compared PORs with clinical outcomes but found a low level of correlation. Conclusions PORs contain valuable information that can generate insights into quality of care and patient-provider relationship, but it has not been systematically used for studies of health care quality. With the advancement of machine learning and data analysis tools, we anticipate more research on PORs based on testable hypotheses and rigorous analytic methods. Trial Registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42018085057; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=85057 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/76ddvTZ1C)
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Alicia Hong
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States.,School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Chen Liang
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Tiffany A Radcliff
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Lisa T Wigfall
- Department of Health Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Richard L Street
- Department of Communication, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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