By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    preventing from sickness
    The 4 Steps To Take If You Get Sick While Living As An Expat
    August 25, 2024
    workout recovery
    From Fatigue to Fuel: Recovery Hacks for Faster Results
    December 24, 2024
    Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Caregivers, Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands, It Saves Lives
    February 10, 2013
    Misconception – Healthcare Reform Will Impact Medical Science
    March 8, 2012
    Image
    What To Do About Heroin and Oxycontin
    April 26, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Physicians and Negative Online Reviews: Think Before You Sue
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Physicians and Negative Online Reviews: Think Before You Sue
eHealthSocial Media

Physicians and Negative Online Reviews: Think Before You Sue

thielst
thielst
Share
3 Min Read
negative physician reviews
SHARE

negative physician reviewsiHealthBeat has an article about physicians increasingly suing patients over negative online reviews, ratings and/or comments.  This absolutely floors me.  Why?

negative physician reviewsiHealthBeat has an article about physicians increasingly suing patients over negative online reviews, ratings and/or comments.  This absolutely floors me.  Why?  Because patients finally have a voice and outlets to share their experience — what they like and don’t like!  More importantly, other consumers and patients have an opportunity to learn from those experiences.  This is the new world of transparancy! And, yes, it is free speech!

Now, I’m a practical person — and a former hospital risk manager.  So, I know when a review can get ugly and cross the line to a true legal cause.  But this probably won’t/shouldn’t be a frequent occurrance.  It is also likely that comments may also be emotionally charged, like the example of the husband posting about his deceased wife. 

Patients and family members who have had poor experiences use to spread their dissatisfaction word of mouth, or perhaps via a letter to the editor of the local paper.  Today’s online sites do help them reach a broader audience.

More Read

telehealth
Physician Practices Revisit Telehealth to Monetize Time and Differentiate
4 Things To Keep In Mind When You Need To Take A Prescription
A Virtual Speech Therapist with Endless Patience
A Humbling Experience
mHealth Device Data to Eliminate Annual Checkup, Improve Disease Research

But consider what we already know about lawsuits against healthcare providers — and that they are most likely the result of communication breakdowns.  In today’s social world, my guess is that these same communications breakdowns are also leading to a negative comments online.  As painful as it may be to see these unwelcomed comments, I caution my physician friends to not respond with legal action.  Instead, take an objective look at the case, communications and processes and identify opportunities for improvement.  Can you imagine the power of that same person posting an update extending appreciation to the physician for resolving the complaint?

Another action that can diffuse negative comments  — and preserve your reputation — is to encourage those who have had a great experience to share it with others.  Promoting your social channels is a starting point to encouraging these patients to share, and blend the good with the bad.

“Think before you post” is one of my recommendations to audiences.  I think I should also add “don’t respond with ugly — think before you sue”!

(image: negative patient feedback / shutterstock) 

TAGGED:online physician reviewspatient engagement
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

David Perez
eHealthMedical RecordsTechnology

Interview: Seamless Medical’s David Perez Is Giving the Physician Waiting Room a 2.0 Update

October 16, 2013
eHeath medical records
eHealthMedical RecordsTechnology

Enterprise-Wide Medical Deivice Integration and CIS Workflow

May 15, 2013
Benefits of Big Data & Real-Time Analytics in Clinical Trials
eHealthTechnology

Role of Information Technology in the Health Industry?

October 26, 2020

Social Recruiting Activity Report

February 15, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?