More and more patients are publishing physician online ratings, making it difficult for physicians to control their brand in the digital world, according to Diagnostic Images.
Here are five steps for physicians to optimize their online ratings.
1. Get a sense of where you stand. Before working to enhance your online rating, do some research on what patients are saying. Google alerts and other tools could prove useful to monitor what patients are saying about you, your practice and your colleagues.
2. Use physician-rating websites to your advantage. Patients are increasingly using HealthGrades and RateMyMD to gauge a physician's reputation. Create an online profile on such websites to control your online reputation.
3. Don't ignore the one star. Have a fair perspective and take ratings into consideration. Some may be valid, while others are not, but one star ratings can make or break a physician's online reputation.
4. Take a proactive stance against negative reviews. Communicate clearly with patients and do your best to ensure they have an optimal experience because negative ratings can have a profound impact on a physician's reputation.
5. Reply right away. Publicly address negative comments so other potential patients know you take these complaints seriously.
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