In this digital age, online reviews and testimonials are a huge part of the way patients decide the validity of their surgeon. But what some patients don’t take into consideration is the validity of their reviews.
Reviews and testimonials are the only way to really hear the most empathetic version of the patient experience.
However, in order to derive the best information and most accurate data from reviews, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Source – Who’s giving this review? When reading negative reviews are you seeing repeat dates and complaints? Does the review sound plausible? It is important to remember that a review whether negative or positive, can come from any source. A doctor’s angry neighbor who’s upset that his grass is a little too high, a doctor’s jealous competitor, a middle school student at a slumber party playing pranks with her friend, the doctor’s supportive mom.
- Frequency – A doctor that has treated more patients is also likely to have more negative reviews. When researching doctors, compare the ratio of positive reviews to negative review as opposed to solely the number of negative reviews. A more experienced doctor who treats more people may also have greater skill despite 1 or 2 negative reviews.
- Details – Does the testimonial give specific details about the experience? If the patient writes little more than a simple “loved it” or “hate him.” You might want to continue to question “why?” Was it for personal reasons? Is this coming from a valid source that actually experienced a treatment? The details of a surgical procedure are often difficult to create without some knowledge of the procedure. Details can often clue into who’s true, and who’s not.
- Results– Aesthetics is not an exact science. While we know that certain mathematical proportions of the face create the most favorable results, there are some subjective elements to beauty. Sometimes patients can have unrealistic expectations of a surgery. Check to see if they note whether they are 1 week or 1 year out of surgery. The results of surgeries are not always immediate. Swelling can often occur directly after the surgery, and occasionally even bruising. Also know that occasionally a doctor may treat a patient with a disorder called Body Dysmorphia. More frequently associated with eating disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia, occasionally a patient will be nearly impossible to please because their self-perception is too skewed by this disorder. While most cosmetic surgeons try to screen for this disorder, occasionally dysmorphic patients are treated, and if they are still dissatisfied with their appearance can blame their doctors in a slew of bad reviews.
- Is it too good to be true? If a surgeon doesn’t have any negative reviews, it’s possible that they have either had them removed or that some of the reviews could be false. If a doctor appears too good to be true he very well may be.
SDMD utilizes video testimonials so that our patients; past, present, and future can see the person and the result of the person giving the review. You know that it is an authentic source. We ask them unbiased question, (you can even hear exactly what we ask them) and they respond with their honest genuine answer.
