The common complaint from my clients in 2023 is that they can’t find a doctor. I am in the crowd who couldn’t find a Primary Care Provider to figuratively save my life. I changed my focus from certain preferences to reviewing low star rated doctors. With the switch, I found a good, competent Primary Care Provider.
Low Rated Doctors may have more appointments available
It seems illogical that you would look for a provider of any service with a low star rating and negative reviews. However, most people sufficiently energized to post a review do so for negative reasons. If low star ratings and negative reviews drive people away from a specific doctor, that means you might have an easier time getting an appointment with the doctor.
That is the strategy I employed after my third attempt at trying to establish a Primary Care Physician (PCP) relationship through my HMO plan. I looked for a doctor who got mediocre star ratings and reviews. I stayed away from doctors who had gushing and glowing reviews. Those doctors are in hot demand and usually not accepting new patients or have a 6-month wait period for an appointment.
After 3 visits with my new PCP, I’m satisfied with the doctor. The appointment time was within a couple of weeks of when I selected the physician. The doctor reviewed my health status and current labs and told me what I needed to work on. The doctor requested I return in 5 to 6 weeks and ordered a new round of blood tests.
The doctor will not win any popularity or congeniality awards. The physician is to the point, clinical, thoughtful, with no small talk or chit chat. I don’t need a doctor to be my best friend. All I wanted is an office visit to establish a PCP relationship in case I do have health care challenge like that odd rash a couple of years ago that turned out to be shingles.
What I got with this doctor is a physician who was interested in my lab report. In short, there are some anomalies that are a cause for concern. Some numbers are high, others low. Hopefully, I can change some of the numbers with diet. Other numbers may portend an underlying medical condition. While I’m relatively healthy, this is the essence of solid primary care relationship – monitoring my health as I age.
I’m also convinced that this doctor would be attentive to any health challenge that might suddenly occur with me. I feel pretty lucky for selecting a doctor with mediocre reviews. I also understand that both doctors and patients have bad days that lead to less than stellar reviews.
Common Complaints that lead to Low Star Ratings
Health care is highly personal and we want a doctor who seems like an old friend. When a doctor does not meet our expectations for empathy and friendliness, it is easy to dismiss the physician. When we are in pain or fear, our desire to connect with a confidant and advocate who will take time to understand who we are as a person gains greater importance.
Some of the top disappointments with doctors are:
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn’t explain conditions well
- Didn’t listen or answer questions
- Didn’t trust the providers decisions
- Staff wasn’t friendly
- Long wait times
- Difficult to schedule appointment.
I would never question the veracity of the negative complaints on the part of the patient. They may be very valid. Often there is not enough context to determine if the complaint is founded. When you scroll through the ratings and comments, you will most likely see both positive and negative posts.
Here are 2 reviews for the same doctor.
“Dr._____ would not listen to what I had to say and as a result prescribed me the wrong medication. His license should be temporarily ceased and forced to take classes on how to listen to patients and interact with them in general. He was verbally aggressive and disrespectful. I hope someone monitors these ratings and takes some action before someone gets hurt.”
The extremely negative comment is balanced by a happy patient experience.
“I was seen by Dr.____ in ______ Urgent Care for a sore throat. He was quick and efficient. I appreciate that he didn’t make me talk a lot because talking was hard with my tonsils so swollen and I get strep frequently and know the deal. Definitely appreciate the efficiency.”
Context, the full story of the service interaction
I am a service provider. As a health insurance agent, I provide a service to people, like a doctor where personal chemistry can be important. Consequently, I’m sensitive to the experience of my clients and prospective clients. There certainly people who like my style and others who are ruffled by the experience of working with me. The context of the interaction is crucial to the perceived results.
For example, I was contacted by a parent in June who wanted health insurance for their son who was in a substance abuse inpatient facility. I explained that outside of the Open Enrollment Period, an individual needed a Qualifying Life Event for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a health plan.
The parent explained their son was a resident of Oregon, with an Oregon health plan, and was being treated in California. I didn’t see a qualifying event in order to enroll in a health plan to help cover the costs of the treatment center. The parent replied they could create a document showing their son was moving permanently to California, which would be a qualifying event.
I reiterated that I didn’t see a bonified qualifying life event and was unable to help secure health insurance for their son. I’m sure this parent thought I dismissed their concerns and was unwilling to prescribe the treatment of a health plan enrollment. All this is to say we need to be skeptical of both negative or positive comments about doctors. The comments are only one side of the interaction, with no context.
If you are having a difficult time finding a doctor, perhaps relax your criteria just a little. Low star rated doctors with a few negative comments are not all bad. The doctor may not feel like an old friend, but if you can get an appointment, that may be better than finding a new best friend.
Medical Board of California may have additional information about doctors and other health care providers you have questions about.
