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Rate my doctor - facebook group

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  • 02-06-2019 2:02pm
    #1
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭


    HI seeing as it's not possible to mention positive/negative experiences about doctors/hospitals in ireland on boards.

    There is no transparency as compared with other countries.

    If my relative has a bad experience and outcome from someone in Ireland, word of mouth only goes so far. So why can't we help one another and share the outcomes? Positive or negative.

    There are rate my doctors but that is a profit site that's moderated and posts can be removed.

    Does anyone think a Facebook group for this would be of help? I do but it would honesty and time to grow.

    It could save lives I believe


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    #2
    Irishphotodesk
    Registered Users Posts: 1,896 ✭✭✭Irishphotodesk


    Shazamm wrote: »
    HI seeing as it's not possible to mention positive/negative experiences about doctors/hospitals in ireland on boards.

    There is no transparency as compared with other countries.

    If my relative has a bad experience and outcome from someone in Ireland, word of mouth only goes so far. So why can't we help one another and share the outcomes? Positive or negative.

    There are rate my doctors but that is a profit site that's moderated and posts can be removed.

    Does anyone think a Facebook group for this would be of help? I do but it would honesty and time to grow.

    It could save lives I believe

    With Ireland's strong defamation laws , it would be unlikely to last very long, people's opinion may be very different to facts.


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    #3
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    Irishphotodesk wrote: »
    With Ireland's strong defamation laws , it would be unlikely to last very long, people's opinion may be very different to facts.

    There are Facebook groups for many many things now.
    Secondly, it could be through private message where more information is given.

    If you need a shoulder operation and go to the one specialist who's hopeless wouldn't you appreciate hearing from someone who had success and who to go to?

    I've heard first hand about some ridiculous choices that ruptured ligaments via well known doctors and would like to help anyone improve the outcome!


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    #4
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,519 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Firstly, we have defamation law in Ireland, so something like this would be very hard to manage, as people will be giving layperson opinion on professionals.

    Secondly I’m not sure of the value. It can be very hard to have direct comparisons in medical treatment. Two superficially similar patients may have completely different underlying issues and require different treatment. I certainly wouldn’t feel qualified to give an opinion on my doctors competence. All I could really say is how I found the experience.


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    #5
    Glass fused light
    Registered Users Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭Glass fused light


    Shazamm wrote: »
    There is no transparency as compared with other countries.
    What transparency are you looking for any how do other countries achieve this?

    Shazamm wrote: »
    If my relative has a bad experience and outcome from someone in Ireland, word of mouth only goes so far. So why can't we help one another and share the outcomes? Positive or negative.

    Experience and outcome are two very different things.
    Would you believe that an old neighbour would always say how X went in to hospital and if killed them but sure there was not a thing wrong with them before X went in.

    Shazamm wrote: »
    Does anyone think a Facebook group for this would be of help? I do but it would honesty and time to grow.

    It could save lives I believe
    How would this save lives? How would it work?


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    #6
    RobbingBandit
    Registered Users Posts: 18,080 ✭✭✭✭RobbingBandit


    Individual results from doctors exist unfortunately, I myself am having a very bad time with a hospital team at the moment due to very personal impactive extenuating circumstances which unfortunately are above and beyond what the department and it's team are used to dealing with, I may have to take action over it and would like nothing more than to spate the whole lot of them but my individual case is very unlikely to happen to someone else so my experiences and or review from my negative experience would be counterintuitive feedback.


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    #7
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    dudara wrote: »
    Firstly, we have defamation law in Ireland, so something like this would be very hard to manage, as people will be giving layperson opinion on professionals.

    Secondly I’m not sure of the value. It can be very hard to have direct comparisons in medical treatment. Two superficially similar patients may have completely different underlying issues and require different treatment. I certainly wouldn’t feel qualified to give an opinion on my doctors competence. All I could really say is how I found the experience.

    How you found the experience is exactly what needs to be shared.

    Defamation laws are everywhere. Your experience may direct someone to better care by sharing.
    This is the point.
    If there is engagement then it can work.
    There is already a rate my hospital site.

    There is no gagging order there.
    I think it could help if people join and shared their story.


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    #8
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    RobbingBandit wrote: »
    Individual results from doctors exist unfortunately, I myself am having a very bad time with a hospital team at the moment due to very personal impactive extenuating circumstances which unfortunately are above and beyond what the department and it's team are used to dealing with, I may have to take action over it and would like nothing more than to spate the whole lot of them but my individual case is very unlikely to happen to someone else so my experiences and or review from my negative experience would be counterintuitive feedback.

    You'd be surprised.
    Similar cases happen very often.
    It is correct diagnosis, treatment etc.
    This error can fall on admin or anywhere along the way.

    Secondly. This is the only way to improve accountability in this country if there is more communication. But these responses are so negative, I'm sorry I suggested it.


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    #9
    Irishphotodesk
    Registered Users Posts: 1,896 ✭✭✭Irishphotodesk


    Shazamm wrote: »
    How you found the experience is exactly what needs to be shared.

    Defamation laws are everywhere. Your experience may direct someone to better care by sharing.
    This is the point.
    If there is engagement then it can work.
    There is already a rate my hospital site.

    There is no gagging order there.
    I think it could help if people join and shared their story.

    It's only a suggestion but .... Possibly another avenue would be if patients were to share the names of those medical teams involved in their own treatment and if these people took legal action over medical negligence, however it would risk tarring some with the same brush ...even if it is factual that it would be a statement...these are the names of the medicals involved in my treatment and I sued for medical negligence, over time it may result in identifying individual medical persons who may reappear again and again, it would have to be heavily moderated and no personal opinions given...even given my suggestion it would need permission of every patient to access their own medical records and make them public knowledge


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    #10
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    Irishphotodesk wrote: »
    It's only a suggestion but .... Possibly another avenue would be if patients were to share the names of those medical teams involved in their own treatment and if these people took legal action over medical negligence, however it would risk tarring some with the same brush ...even if it is factual that it would be a statement...these are the names of the medicals involved in my treatment and I sued for medical negligence, over time it may result in identifying individual medical persons who may reappear again and again, it would have to be heavily moderated and no personal opinions given...even given my suggestion it would need permission of every patient to access their own medical records and make them public knowledge

    This is exactly what needs sharing. You can share it briefly and tell and sensitive info over pm, email, phone call etc.

    That is the goal, to have some transparency.
    I don't know your story but I could pm and ask now since I have a brief idea. That's why I think it's necessary to have a group and to help one another


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    #11
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,223 ✭✭✭✭biko


    I foresee the Facebook group to become filled with "OMG, my doctor was sooo rude" and "I am dying with headcold but I didn't get emergency antibiotics"
    People are stupid and all too willing to ruin someone's career over some small stuff.

    If you, OP, have genuine concerns, then there are already avenues you can pursue.


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    #12
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    biko wrote: »
    I foresee the Facebook group to become filled with "OMG, my doctor was sooo rude" and "I am dying with headcold but I didn't get emergency antibiotics"
    People are stupid and all too willing to ruin someone's career over some small stuff.

    If you, OP, have genuine concerns, then there are already avenues you can pursue.


    It's about helping each other and having information transparency.
    When you get referred to a hip specialist and time is wasted to only eventually find out there are only two specialists in the country treating with arthroscopy . This time would have not been wasted with information.

    gps don't know this


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    #13
    Hoboo
    Registered Users Posts: 3,518 ✭✭✭Hoboo


    What's the difference between what the OP is suggesting and Google reviews?

    Can't see how defamation would be different for a doctor and any other business, which are already held to account...... TripAdvisor being one example.


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    #14
    Mrcaramelchoc
    Registered Users Posts: 1,795 ✭✭✭Mrcaramelchoc


    Well what happens when you have a doctor who misdiagnoses your fathers cancer so the treatment he should be having get s delayed a year.why can't we complain about that clown?
    And don't say complain to the hse because he has previous and nothing has been done about it.
    Id love to name and shame that b astard and tell people to avoid him at all costs but there isnt a place to do it afaik.
    Or the consultant that you pay 150 euro for, he spends 5 minutes grunting at you barely examines you and sends you on your way.
    Some of these ****ers have a lot to answer for.


    Ps im posting this again because some mod decided to shut down the thread in after hours where i originally posted it.


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    #15
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    Mrcaramelchoc wrote: »
    Well what happens when you have a doctor who misdiagnoses your fathers cancer so the treatment he should be having get s delayed a year.why can't we complain about that clown?
    And don't say complain to the hse because he has previous and nothing has been done about it.
    Id love to name and shame that b astard and tell people to avoid him at all costs but there isnt a place to do it afaik.
    Or the consultant that you pay 150 euro for, he spends 5 minutes grunting at you barely examines you and sends you on your way.
    Some of these ****ers have a lot to answer for.


    Ps im posting this again because some mod decided to shut down the thread in after hours where i originally posted it.


    Thank you.

    Well I think i'll make a facebook group and share the name here after for a start.
    If you can come up with a way to share this to as many as possible so we get this off the ground.
    And a name for the group to make it loud and clear


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    #16
    Dav010
    Registered Users Posts: 14,004 ✭✭✭✭Dav010


    Shazamm wrote: »
    Thank you.

    Well I think i'll make a facebook group and share the name here after for a start.
    If you can come up with a way to share this to as many as possible so we get this off the ground.
    And a name for the group to make it loud and clear

    You had better transfer all assets and savings to someone you trust. As the person who set the page/group up and it’s administrator, you will be responsible for the publishing of the comments. You will not know the true identity of group members nor will you be able to check the validity of the statements on YOUR group.
    Shazamm wrote: »

    If my relative has a bad experience and outcome from someone in Ireland, word of mouth only goes so far. So why can't we help one another and share the outcomes? Positive or negative.

    This quote is an example of the problems you will face. The information is second hand as it relates to a relative. They give their biased opinion, then you post yours. Also, outcomes are not guaranteed, though many expect them to be. If you accuse a GP of negligence or poor performance based on a poorer than expected outcome, buckle up for the ride, you will have to substantiate your allegations. And while you may think you are doing something in the public’s best interest, you are sure to attract crackpots who will look on your group as a way to vent or “punish” a GP who kept them waiting or charged them €150.

    Read these, and good luck.

    https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.independent.ie/irish-news/libel-action-may-shut-rate-your-solicitor-website-26364903.html

    https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/judge-in-call-to-penalise-defamation-on-internet-1.455057%3fmode=amp


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    #17
    LimeFruitGum
    Registered Users Posts: 996 ✭✭✭LimeFruitGum


    Look, Facebook would be the very last place I would go to for medical stuff. I have no interest in posting anything about my personal medical affairs to FB. But that’s just me.

    How would you screen out the whiners, defamers, people with various agendas, & drama queens? Do you want people to comment on the posts? Because that’s going to be a mine field. If I were moderating it, I would not permit 3rd party reports, because there’s going to some bias creeping in. Maybe someone’s Uncle Johnny did have to wait 10 hours in A&E, but Uncle Johnny might have left out the fact that he was roaring at the nurses because he has a secret drug problem and the gear made him paranoid. I might confide in a friend about an issue but if she went and posted about it in a FB group, I would be livid. You would probably need to review every post before it goes live. That’s a lot of work, and it’s probably why that other site you mentioned in your post requires a fee.

    The doctor can’t even reply to the comment as they’re obliged to keep the patient’s details confidential. Once the post goes online, then what? What makes this different to Google reviews? What are you going to do with the information people post? I would not put it past a poster to turn on you and demand you do something about their complaint. You say the group is about transparency and ‘helping each other’, but what exactly do you mean by that, that’s not clear. This ‘helping each other’ bit needs to be clearly-defined.

    If you limit scope to customer care and set graded criteria for feedback, it might be helpful. But overall, this is a lot of responsibility and work. As others have said, you would be responsible in case of defamatory comments.
    OP, you may think I am being very negative, but this is based on past experience. I had a run-in with another site years ago over a poster in my online group writing comments about some site personnel. I was threatened with legal action over it. I didn’t pick up on missing nuance, insider references or context in those posts at the time, so they looked innocuous enough to me when I reviewed them. it was a big shock to get a legal letter over a small online group. Obviously I deleted the posts and banned the poster, and I was off the hook, but it really put me off managing online groups in my spare time.


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    #18
    Graces7
    Registered Users Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    Mrcaramelchoc wrote: »
    Well what happens when you have a doctor who misdiagnoses your fathers cancer so the treatment he should be having get s delayed a year.why can't we complain about that clown?
    And don't say complain to the hse because he has previous and nothing has been done about it.
    Id love to name and shame that b astard and tell people to avoid him at all costs but there isnt a place to do it afaik.
    Or the consultant that you pay 150 euro for, he spends 5 minutes grunting at you barely examines you and sends you on your way.
    Some of these ****ers have a lot to answer for.


    Ps im posting this again because some mod decided to shut down the thread in after hours where i originally posted it.

    If there were a ..trying to find the word! - decent? honest? complaints procedure in ireland it would help greatly. We have tried via the HSE then the medical council in vain over some very serious matters. It was the same in the UK .

    I once got dumped from a practice in a remote area totally against the rules as i had made a validated complaint against a partner.

    PS have you seen this site?

    http://www.ratemyhospital.ie/

    I have submitted reports there.

    As long as doctors within the system support all other doctors?


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    #19
    Shazamm
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭Shazamm


    There's already ratemds - with irish specialists on there but very little have been rated.
    Some mixed - good and bad

    https://www.ratemds.com/best-doctors/irl/dublin/orthopedics-sports/

    And the above mentioned - rate my hospital

    http://www.ratemyhospital.ie/

    But these are all anonymous and I think it would be more beneficial if it was "searchable" in a group.

    Still these sites are handy


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    #20
    Graces7
    Registered Users Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    Shazamm wrote: »
    There's already ratemds - with irish specialists on there but very little have been rated.
    Some mixed - good and bad

    https://www.ratemds.com/best-doctors/irl/dublin/orthopedics-sports/

    And the above mentioned - rate my hospital

    http://www.ratemyhospital.ie/

    But these are all anonymous and I think it would be more beneficial if it was "searchable" in a group.

    Still these sites are handy

    The legal ramifications of "naming and shaming" could get very costly indeed and also you will find it very hard to get any eg hospital to do that.

    look up Dr Harold Shipman; drs knew he was suspect .

    And try making a formal complaint against a dr here with the correct organisation. Head meet brick wall time. Or criticising a dr to others.
    I took one case to the Ombudsman. after a year they believed HSE not me although I had actual proof. The only way that mess got sorted was when I contacted my now retired excellent former GP who set things right fast.

    First; look after you!


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