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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by denise1966 on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:19
Dr Bob,
Is there any way you could set up a section on this site where we can go and give reviews on Psychiatrists.
I know that a lot of people have problems finding a good psychiatrist (especially here in the UK) and I've always thought it would be a really good idea.
I'd set one up myself if I could get some motivation.
Thanks....Denise
Posted by Tom Twilight on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:20
In reply to Dr Bob Can we have a psychiatrist rating section?, posted by denise1966 on October 4, 2005, at 13:12:48
What a good idea
I would have thought a psychiatrist rating sight, be it part of babble or seperate would be very popular.
We really need something like that for the UK were there's so little transparency about psychiatric practice.
Posted by med_empowered on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:20
In reply to What a great idea!, posted by Tom Twilight on October 4, 2005, at 14:09:11
It seems like one always goes into a shrink blind...and you're just expected to deal with their crap; even if they suck, if it doesn't work out, its always a reflection on the patient (who is "crazy," afterall) rather than the doc or the overall patient-doc dynamic. So...yeah. We need a rating system. And...I think if it goes up and becomes popular enough, everyone should let their current doc, and any future doc, know what the site address is and let them know they'll be posting an evaluation on it. Not only would this be the most honest approach--afterall, if a doctor is going to be evaluated online, she or he should know about it--it might have the effect of improving doc-patient relationships by partially removing the wall of secrecy that so often favors the doctor in the relationship.
Posted by sdb on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:20
In reply to **YES...DEAR GOD, YES**, posted by med_empowered on October 4, 2005, at 17:50:05
Good idea, but poor bob would have most likely law problems afterwards...
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:20
In reply to Re: good idea but.., posted by sdb on October 4, 2005, at 20:50:21
Good point. And I have written the name of my bad pdoc here along with the charges against him. But we read about them anyway on the internet. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:20
In reply to Re: good idea but.., posted by sdb on October 4, 2005, at 20:50:21
Hello sdb.
I agree: good idea BUT! I think Dr. Bob would be inundated with lawsuits.
I belong to an organization that is essentially member-operated. Members rate, grade and report on local services and businesses, such as plumbers, dry cleaners, appliance repair people, hair dressers, etc. Unfortunately, the founder of the organization will not allow any reviews or reports on local doctors, lawyers or even any medically-related organizations, such as optometrists, opticians, etc. because the founder does not want to deal with the lawsuits that would result.
Posted by denise1966 on October 5, 2005, at 14:51:20
In reply to Dr Bob Can we have a psychiatrist rating section?, posted by denise1966 on October 4, 2005, at 13:12:48
Yes, that had occurred to me that there might be legal implications.
If I can get the motivation I might set a site up myself.
Denise
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 5, 2005, at 15:18:54
In reply to What a great idea!, posted by Tom Twilight on October 4, 2005, at 14:09:11
Sorry to change the subject..
Out of interest.. what transparency would you like when it came to psychiatrics? what would you like to know?
I can suggest ways to find things out too..
Nikki x
Posted by Tom Twilight on October 5, 2005, at 16:09:19
In reply to Re: What a great idea! » Tom Twilight, posted by NikkiT2 on October 5, 2005, at 15:18:54
Hey Nikki
Regarding transparency:
It would be good to know about the opinions that doctors hold.
For example are they more therapy or med centred?
Will they try combinations of medication?
Do they use MAOIs?I don't think UK docs are deliberatly obscure about things like this, but unlike their US counterparts they don't tend to have their own websites e.c.t.
There's less of a culture of openess in the UK
I'm not saying the US is perfect in this regard!Regarding Legal implications I don't think it would be a good idea for Dr Bob to have a rating page on this sight.
Perhapse whats needed is an indeppendant sight with a legal disclaimer that stated that the opinions of people that posted there were just that "opinions", which the maintaner of the sight didn't nessecerilly condone.
If people can rate plastic surgeons online, surely we can rate psychiatrists?
I'm tired at the moment, those are just my thoughts
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2005, at 18:26:41
In reply to Re: What a great idea!, posted by Tom Twilight on October 5, 2005, at 16:09:19
I would like to see included what meds they will prescribe. Are they benzophobic or do they use them. Do they combine med therapy and psychotherapy? How long are their appointments. What insurance do they cover. Philosophy of various diagnoses and how do they reach them. Do they do any medical studies in combination of prescribing meds. Do they charge for phone calls. Mine does at the moment. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on October 5, 2005, at 18:57:44
In reply to Dr Bob Can we have a psychiatrist rating section?, posted by denise1966 on October 4, 2005, at 13:12:48
Yeah, great idea. I mean, it probably wouldn't make a huge impact on the planet, but nevertheless will afford some form of accountability that probably couldn't be found anywhere else on the planet.
Posted by cubic_me on October 6, 2005, at 18:31:44
In reply to Re: Dr Bob Can we have a psychiatrist rating section?, posted by blueberry on October 5, 2005, at 18:57:44
I think this idea would be great for the UK *if* we were allowed to choose our psychiatrists. Unfortunately many of us get a choice of one, and it is them or nothing. Although it would be good to know that you are not alone in thinking they are good/bad/indifferent.
Posted by Jakeman on October 6, 2005, at 21:08:59
In reply to Dr Bob Can we have a psychiatrist rating section?, posted by denise1966 on October 4, 2005, at 13:12:48
> Dr Bob,
>
> Is there any way you could set up a section on this site where we can go and give reviews on Psychiatrists.
>
> I know that a lot of people have problems finding a good psychiatrist (especially here in the UK) and I've always thought it would be a really good idea.
>
> I'd set one up myself if I could get some motivation.
>
> Thanks....DeniseI am totally in favor of this suggestion, it would be a GREAT public service, one that is direly needed and has been discussed on these boards many times before.
There are precendents, such as the Top Thyroid Doctors Directory. http://thyroid.about.com/cs/doctors/a/topdocs.htm
I found a doctor through this site and he got me in touch with a good sleep doctor in Austin. By the way his name is John Hudson. He takes most insurance but its' a long wait to get an appointment.
I don't quite understand the concern about legal issues that some people mentioned. To assuage these concerns, maybe the section could be limited to "recommended" psychiatrists, those with whom we've had good experiences. As with the about.com board, phyiscians/therapists could have their name removed at their request or they could make comments such as "not accepting new patients."
Dr Bob, I feel a doctor/therapist section could advance e-therapy that you discuss on your homepage. I hope you will consider these suggestions.
warm regards ~Jake
Posted by Jakeman on October 6, 2005, at 21:33:51
In reply to Re: good idea but.. » sdb, posted by Sarah T. on October 5, 2005, at 0:06:16
> Hello sdb.
>
> I agree: good idea BUT! I think Dr. Bob would be inundated with lawsuits.
>
> I belong to an organization that is essentially member-operated. Members rate, grade and report on local services and businesses, such as plumbers, dry cleaners, appliance repair people, hair dressers, etc. Unfortunately, the founder of the organization will not allow any reviews or reports on local doctors, lawyers or even any medically-related organizations, such as optometrists, opticians, etc. because the founder does not want to deal with the lawsuits that would result.I think it's different if you are an individual consumer posting your comments. I belong to numerous public email lists from neighbor organizations and labor groups and we post our complaints and praises all the time.
~ warm regards Jake
Posted by jay on October 7, 2005, at 12:34:07
In reply to Dr Bob Can we have a psychiatrist rating section?, posted by denise1966 on October 4, 2005, at 13:12:48
My family doctor looks after my mental health needs, and has for the past 8 or so years. He is *absolutely amazing*...one of the most compassionate, knowledgeable and selfless people I have ever met. He has put up with a lot of my sh*t, silly experiments, and is 100 percent better than any psychiatrist I have ever met.
Jay
Posted by mcd on October 7, 2005, at 19:14:31
In reply to What if doc is a GP?, posted by jay on October 7, 2005, at 12:34:07
I found this article from the Wall Street Journal that addresses this subject:
http://tinyurl.com/brwv9
(It also gives a website that does allow people to post their ratings of doctors.)
Posted by Jakeman on October 7, 2005, at 23:34:15
In reply to Psychiatrist rating system, posted by mcd on October 7, 2005, at 19:14:31
> I found this article from the Wall Street Journal that addresses this subject:
> http://tinyurl.com/brwv9Very good article, thanks for posting! I looked at several of the sites mentioned, http://ratemds.com seems to have the most reviews. Ratings of psychiatrists are rather skimpy, at least in my area. I still think a web-site or directory that devoted to mental health is needed to help direct people to qualified, competent practictioners. Interesting too that lawsuits directed at the doctor rating sites have largely failed.
Posted by Tom Twilight on October 9, 2005, at 16:12:17
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist rating system » mcd, posted by Jakeman on October 7, 2005, at 23:34:15
This is a really interesting debate, and the review sights are also very interesting.
Unfortunatly none of the sights listed reviewed any UK doctors (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Its in the UK were we have the most desperate need for transparency in Psychiatric care.Cubic_me's point about UK patients not choosing their doctors is partly valid, if you go on the NHS you have no choice.
Having said that there are plenty of private doctors in the UK, as well as NHS doctors who do private appointments.
So for this reason a rating system would be useful.
This is the end of the thread.
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