Grapevine beats online: Web ratings aren't key in choosing doctor
Geography and physician referral still top the Internet when it comes to patients' healthcare choices, but insurance coverage is by far the biggest driver when it comes to parents choosing a doctor for their children, according to a new national survey.
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This is very sobering for enthusiasts of online rating since this survey is for selection of pediatrician. The population of "choosers" being tested here is largely young mothers who have a very high penetration of internet use and may be using digital sources of the grapevine (like Facebook) over the rating services. I w ould think the reported effect would be even more pronouned if tested in a population of senior citizens.