Public reporting in Germany: the content of physician rating websites

Emmert M, Sander U, Esslinger AS, Maryschok M, Schöffski O (2012)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2012

Journal

Methods of Information in Medicine Thieme Publishing

Original Authors: Emmert M, Sander U, Esslinger AS, Maryschok M, Schöffski O

Publisher: Schattauer

Book Volume: 51

Pages Range: 112 - 120

Journal Issue: 2

URI: http://methods.schattauer.de/en/contents/archivestandard/manuscript/16964.html

DOI: 10.3414/ME11-01-0045

Abstract

Background 

Physician rating websites (PRWs) are gaining in popularity among patients seeking quality information about physicians. However, little knowledge is available about the quantity and type of information provided on the websites.

Objective

To determine and structure the quantity and type of information about physicians in the outpatient sector provided on German-language physician rating websites.

Methods 

In a first step, we identified PRWs through a systematic internet search using German keywords from a patient´s perspective in the two search engines Google and Yahoo. Afterwards, information about physicians available on the websites was collected and categorised according to Donabedian´s structure/process/outcome model. Furthermore, we investigated whether the information was related to the physician himself/ herself or to the practice as a whole.

Results 

In total, eight PRWs were detected. Our analysis turned up 139 different information items on eight websites; 67 are related to the structural quality, 4 to process quality, 5 to outcomes, and 63 to patient satisfaction/experience. In total, 37% of all items focus specifically on the physician and 63% on the physician’s practice. In terms of the total amount of information provided on the PRWs, results range from 61 down to 13.5 items.

Conclusions 

A broad range of information is available on German PRWs. While structural information can give a detailed overview of the financial, technical and human resources of a practice, other outcome measures have to be interpreted with caution. Specifically, patient satisfaction results are not risk-adjusted, and thus, are not appropriate to represent a provider’s quality of care. Consequently, neither patients nor physicians should yet use the information provided to make their final decision for or against an individual physician.

Authors with CRIS profile

Martin Emmert Juniorprofessur für Versorgungsmanagement Adelheid Susanne Esslinger Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften Markus Maryschok Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement Oliver Schöffski 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., Sander, U., Esslinger, A.S., Maryschok, M., & Schöffski, O. (2012). Public reporting in Germany: the content of physician rating websites. Methods of Information in Medicine, 51(2), 112 - 120. https://doi.org/10.3414/ME11-01-0045

MLA:

Emmert, Martin, et al. "Public reporting in Germany: the content of physician rating websites." Methods of Information in Medicine 51.2 (2012): 112 - 120.

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