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Patients to rate GPs’ appearance online

01 Apr 2009

A new online ranking site is set to be launched offering a fresh twist on ‘rate-my-doc’ services by allowing patients to rate their GP in terms of attractiveness, dress sense and personal hygiene.

The new service will for the first time give patients choice over how ‘hot’ their GP is, with family doctors rated on a scale of one to ten on a series of criteria that have little or nothing to do with the quality of care they provide

The new website, grademydoc.co.uk will allow every patient to rate their GP on everything from grooming to weight and overall attractiveness in a bid to make GPs more approachable to increasingly image conscious patients. The site offers doctors the ability to sign-up to receive alerts when they have received a particularly low rating by a patient.

E-Health Insider understands that the government is considering whether it may be possible to incorporate ideas from the service as part of NHS Choices.

The idea for the site came after data obtained from Freedom of Information Act showed hundreds of patients complain that they often do not feel comfortable being treated by their GP due to their outward appearances, particularly when they dress badly, have untrimmed beards or flowing hair.

Other patients, meanwhile, reported feeling intimidated when a GP was extremely fit or highly attractive, and said they felt it embarrassing to undress for an examination or seek advice of an intimate nature. The new site will give patients the ability to choose GPs whose looks are less likely to cause such distractions.

April Weller, founder of grademydoc.co.uk told E-Health Insider: “The data from the Freedom of Information Act shows there has been a demand for this service for a very long time.

“Patients always discuss the characteristics of their GPs, this site will provide a comprehensive analysis of what each GP is like so that patients do not make the mistake of visiting a GP that they would not feel comfortable with.”

The website enables patients to log onto the site and search for their GP. They are then asked to anonymously rate them by grading them on a scale of one to ten.

The ratings are provided for other users to view so that they can make informed decisions about choosing a GP.

Each month the site will provide surgeries with a summary of how each GP has been rated so that GPs can review their personal appearance so they do not offend patients. A ‘hot doc’ of the month feature is also promised.

Dr Neil Bacon, founder of iwantgreatcare, which allows patients to rate their GPs in terms of how much they listen, are trusted and would be recommended, told E-Health Insider:

"I think this could be the missing link where doctors and patients agree on how powerful the web can be in improving standards across the NHS.

“One of the most frequent complaints we get on our site from patients is that doctors are just not as good looking as they used to be, or are in ER. By giving patients the power to rate doctors this could all change."

James Oxley, a patient at the Balatro practice, Basingstoke told E-Health Insider: “The website is a fantastic idea. Doctors should act professionally in all aspects of their job including the way they look.

“I used to feel extremely uncomfortable when visiting my doctor as he had incredibly long nasal hair, since he has known the website will be rating appearance the hair has gone.”

Dr Bacon concluded: "I think this is a fascinating development which will really ensure doctors dress up properly to see their patients. I think we could see the return of spring flowers in the lapels, and the style of Dr Finlay returning to the consulting room. I look forward to the site allowing doctors to upload videos demonstrating their sartorial elegance."

© 2009 E-HEALTH-MEDIA LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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