UPMC to post satisfaction surveys, star ratings of doctors to aid in physician search

A Pittsburgh-based health care system wants patients to choose the right doctor and it's posting online satisfaction surveys to help them do that.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports (http://bit.ly/1MKabSc ) UPMC is expected to post patient satisfaction surveys and star ratings of physicians online starting this week.

The ratings of up to five stars are based on more than 200,000 reviews of over 1,600 physicians and health care providers. UPMC is expected to initially post 20,000 comments from email surveys about doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives and others.

Chief Quality Officer Tami Minnier says the move is all in the name of transparency.

Doctors and providers receiving negative comments can appeal, but UPMC intends to publish most comments and ratings.

Minnier says she expects skeptical doctors to warm to the system.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com