Patient Reviews: Yelp, Google, Healthgrades, Vitals, and RealSelf

Abstract

Background: 

Online reviews play a significant role in influencing a patient’s choice of a plastic surgeon. The purpose of this article is to help the practicing plastic surgeon understand reviews and review websites.

Methods: 

A review of both the medical literature and online blogs was performed to identify the most current information pertinent to plastic surgeons.

Results: 

Negative reviews can impact a potential patient’s decision on where to seek plastic surgery, and the best way to dilute that impact is to attract good reviews. Good reviews result from running an excellent practice, and patient surveys can help identify and address problems. The qualities of each of the seven online patient review websites are summarized, along with practice advice on how to attract reviews and how to deal with fake, fraudulent, and negative reviews.

Conclusions: 

Reviews impact plastic surgeons, whether or not they are aware of what patients are saying about them online. This article helps plastic surgeons become familiar with how to use reviews for practice growth and how to protect their online reputation.