WEBSITES that rate doctors and other health professionals are unconstructive and often ''patients shouting among themselves'', according to a patient feedback expert.
The health insurer NIB yesterday faced a barrage of criticism from doctors and other medical practitioners over its planned ''whitecoat'' website, which will enable people to rate and compare healthcare providers.
Associate Professor Michael Greco, from Griffith University, said the such sites were a one-way response to dealing with patient complaints. ''We need a legitimate forum to allow those democratic voices to be heard,'' he said. ''But putting the health services off-side doesn't really engage them to be shaped by the voice of the patient.''
Instead Professor Greco helped launch an Australian version of a British site, Patient Opinion, which seeks comments from patients but withholds the chance to rate doctors. The site seeks responses from health providers to all posts from patients.
