business
Online reviews least-cited factor when choosing pediatrician
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 4, 2013
Only a quarter of parents surveyed for a national poll say they consider online reviews when selecting their child’s physician.
University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s Poll on Children’s Health found that, at 97%, a pediatrician’s acceptance of their health insurance is the biggest factor when it came to picking a physician. The Web-based survey of 2,137 adults conducted in September 2012 found a convenient office location also was very important, with 65% citing it as a consideration, followed by the doctor’s experience (52%), recommendations from family and friends (50%), referrals from other doctors (40%), and online ratings (25%).
Researchers said the use of online rating sites might increase over time due to the age disparity in the findings. Forty-four percent of parents younger than 30 said online ratings were very important, compared with 21% of parents 30 and older.
