Guide for Managing Google Reviews for Doctors

Are Google reviews for doctors a common thing?

Well, not in the public sector, but on the private side the game is really getting competitive. It also depends on your location: in some countries, the competition is more severe than in others.

According to a Stanford University study, “physicians after receiving 5-star ratings would receive 4-8% more patient volume than if receiving 1 star. This result is striking since a physician who is rated on Yelp only has about 5 reviews on average.”

As the digital era continues to shape our approach to healthcare, it’s worth considering the impact of online feedback, specifically Google reviews, on our decisions about choosing a doctor.

With an increasing number of patients turning to the Internet to share their experiences, understanding the significance of these reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals.

However, keep in mind that creating false reviews can lead to serious consequences, like needing to pay a 100.000 dollar fine as well as losing credibility in the eyes of the public.

Next, we will explore:

1. How Google reviews can influence healthcare decisions
2. How a doctor or healthcare provider can manage their online reputation
3. Interview of a psychiatrist on the importance and possible anonymity of reviews
4. Alterative platforms for doctor reviews

The Role of Online Reviews in Today’s Healthcare Landscape

Online patient reviews have become crucial sources of information for patients seeking healthcare services. The opinions shared by other patients play an influential role in shaping their decision-making process.

In plain English: Patients rely on online patient reviews to gauge the quality of care provided by doctors, the convenience of appointments, and the overall patient experience.

For example, positive reviews describing a doctor’s excellent bedside manner and attentive staff can help patients feel more confident in their choices.

On the other hand, negative reviews highlighting long waiting times or dismissive attitudes can steer patients away from certain doctors.

Before someone even picks up the phone to call or book a consultation online, they look at the online reviews.

Doctor reviews have become an invaluable tool for patients in selecting the right healthcare provider.

The Growing Influence of Google Reviews for Doctors

Google reviews have become increasingly influential in the healthcare industry.

Why?

Because doctor’s office locations are essentially local businesses in the eyes of Google.

How to Find a Doctor

If you need to find a new doctor, you most likely open a search engine and type your location, the type of doctor you need, and possibly even “best”.

So, you type in “best oncologist Vancouver” on the Google search bar.

And what you get is doctor review sites and the “People also ask” featured snippet.

After that, you’ll see a suggestion to look for more doctor review sites and the featured snippet of local businesses aka doctor’s offices.

Information Available on the Places Snippet

• Address
• Number of Google reviews
• Average star rating
• Open feedback
• Opening hours
• Link to website (if provided to Google)

Patients now rely heavily on Google reviews to make informed decisions about their choice of doctor. The positive or negative feedback left by previous patients can greatly impact a doctor’s reputation and patient acquisition.

For instance, a doctor with numerous positive reviews highlighting their ability to listen and efficient service is more likely to attract new patients than a doctor with negative reviews.

Furthermore, positive reviews can provide reassurance and build trust between doctors and potential patients, leading to increased appointment bookings.

With the growing dependency on online reviews, doctors must prioritize managing their Google reviews to maintain their professional reputation and attract new patients.

Key Factors Patients Look at When Evaluating Doctors’ Reviews

When evaluating doctor’s reviews on Google, there are some key factors to consider that can help patients make an informed decision.

Take note, and make sure your own review marketing strategy is up to par.

Consistency of the Reviews

People look for patterns in the feedback provided by different patients.

For example, if multiple patients mention the doctor’s poor bedside manner, it could be a red flag worth considering.

Relevance of the Reviews

Most patients pay attention to reviews from patients with similar medical conditions or concerns as they currently have.

This can provide valuable insights into how the doctor may handle their specific case. By considering these factors, one can gather practical information to help them in their search for a trusted healthcare provider.

Recency of Reviews

Reviews that are older than a few months are not relevant anymore – your whole staff could have changed since the review left a couple of years ago, or you might have improved some concerns patients previously brought up.

And if you don’t have any recent reviews, has your practice even been active lately?

Benefits of Google Reviews for Doctors

Informed Decision-Making for Patients

When it comes to making informed decisions about choosing a doctor, patient feedback can provide valuable insights. Online reviews offer a glimpse into other patients’ experiences and can help prospective patients assess the quality of care provided by different doctors.

For example, a review mentioning a doctor’s promptness in addressing patients’ concerns can indicate their attentiveness and dedication.

Similarly, patient reviews discussing a doctor’s communication skills can give patients an idea of how effectively they can expect to communicate with their healthcare provider.

By considering a range of patient experiences shared through online reviews, individuals can gather objective information that can support their decision-making process when selecting a doctor.

Enhanced Doctor-Patient Communication

Enhanced Doctor-Patient Communication plays a significant role in the realm of Google reviews for doctors.

By fostering transparent and effective communication, patients can make informed decisions about their healthcare providers.

Open lines of communication allow patients to express their concerns, ask questions, and receive prompt responses, leading to improved patient satisfaction.

For instance, doctors who promptly address patient inquiries demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care.

Quality Improvement for Healthcare Providers

Quality improvement is a vital aspect for healthcare providers seeking positive Google reviews. By consistently delivering exceptional care and service, providers can build trust and loyalty with their patients.

For example, ensuring prompt appointment scheduling and minimizing wait times can greatly enhance the patient experience.

I Have Google Reviews: What Should I Do with Them?

Getting Google reviews is just half the battle.

Remember to respond to them and use them in your marketing efforts.

Add to Website

If you want your medical practice to climb up in the Google search results, add those raving reviews to your website as well!

Why?

Because adding a Google review widget to your website increases the chances of getting your star ratings to those search results as well.

Good news for non-coding people: Wiht Trustmary, you don’t need to worry about Google reviews API key, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

Other Benefits of Adding a Google Review Widget:

• Get more direct appointments from your website
• Provide valuable information to potential patients
• Better chances of getting to Google’s first page
• Build trust
• Highlight the quality of treatment and your expertise

Positive reviews indicate a doctor’s competence, empathy, and ability to build trusting relationships with patients, while negative reviews highlight potential red flags. By analyzing these reviews, patients can make informed choices about their healthcare providers, ultimately ensuring they receive the best possible care.

Use Trustmary’s free review widget for doctors to experience the benefits. No coding skills needed!

You can start by typing your Google My Business location below to import existing Google reviews and to embed them to your website ⬇️

Share on Social Media

You can also share your patient reviews on social media.

Trustmary makes it easy: instead of having to copy and paste text into Canva and play a designer, you can simply download a shareable image file directly from Trustmary.

Here’s an example of how our Finnish customer has used it:

And if you don’t want to share individual reviews (for privacy purposes), you can also share an overall score with our badge widgets.

Respond to Google Reviews: Templates to Use

Responding to reviews boosts your engagement and demonstrates good customer service.

Here are some review response templates you can use as a starting point, but the best response comes directly from the heart.

Positive Review Response

“Thank you so much for your kind words, [Patient’s Name]! We’re delighted to hear that you had a positive experience, and it was a pleasure to be part of your healthcare journey. If there’s ever anything more we can do to support your health, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Response to a Review Mentioning Specific Staff

“Thank you, [Patient’s Name], for recognizing our team’s efforts. We’re thrilled to know that [Staff Member’s Name] made a positive impact during your visit. Our team strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment, and your feedback means the world to us. Take care, and we look forward to seeing you again!”

Neutral Review Response (Patient Mentioning Mixed Experience)

“Thank you, [Patient’s Name], for your feedback and for trusting us with your care. We’re always looking to improve, and your insights help us do just that. If there’s anything specific you’d like to discuss or if we can make your experience better in the future, please reach out. Wishing you continued good health!”

Response to Constructive Criticism

“Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, [Patient’s Name]. We’re sorry to hear that we didn’t fully meet your expectations, as our goal is to provide the best care and support possible. If you’d like, please reach out to us directly so we can address any concerns and ensure a better experience in the future.”

Response to Highly Critical Review

“We’re truly sorry that you had a disappointing experience, [Patient’s Name]. Your feedback is crucial for us as we strive to improve. Please reach out directly so we can better understand the situation and work towards a resolution together. We value your trust and hope to provide the care you deserve in the future.”

I Want More Google Reviews – But How?

If you have a list of your customers’ email addresses, you can create and send a review campaign with Trustmary to get more Google reviews.

Type your Google My Business Location below to get started:

POV of Psychiatrist on the Importance of Reviews

Dr. Raquel Del Hoyo Mitjans is a registered psychiatrist who offers live and online consultations in Madrid. She is currently using the Doctoralia system, where she can both have reviews and set up an appointment calendar.

At some time in the near future, she’s planning on creating her own website, where she has full control over the content and how the page looks. It also enables her to get new customers organically from all Spanish-speaking countries.

Importance of Getting New Reviews Constantly

Even now when she uses Doctoralia, she tries to collect as many reviews as possible, as she knows they are an important tool in getting new customers to trust her and book an appointment.

– Reviews are absolutely necessary. They show potential customers what my approach is like, how successful I’ve been in dealing with similar cases, and what makes me different from other doctors. It gives reassurance about booking a consultation with a professional they haven’t met beforehand, she explains.

Del Hoyo Mitjans considers word of mouth to be one of her most important customer acquisition strategies: People who’ve had a consultation with her, recommend her to their family and friends.

But this isn’t a scalable or controllable tactic, and having online reviews offers a huge opportunity to get online exposure where one can get the attention of thousands of more potential customers.

No Fake Reviews

Even though getting reviews is important, Del Hoyo Mitjans is strongly against generating or buying fake reviews. In addition to being illegal, it can have serious consequences in her line of work.

– Fake reviews are a form of scam. And using them in the healthcare industry is especially wrong and possibly even dangerous, as patients rely on reviews from former patients to decide on which doctor is the best fit for their needs, Del Hoyo Mitjens states firmly.

The only way any new customer can do their research on doctors includes going over their CV and online reviews.

Anonymity Plays a Huge Role

– Anonymity is key for getting good and detailed reviews. Patients need to feel safe that no-one can recognize them personally, Del Hoyo Mitjans explains.

As she works with patients who are struggling with their mental health, she knows that most don’t want anyone to know that they even are in therapy.

She thinks this is one of the reasons why getting Google reviews is difficult.

– Google is far from anonymous, so if I even got reviews from my patients, they wouldn’t be as specific as they are now. I can’t imagine someone writing with their full name and profile picture that “I’ve been treated by this doctor for schizophrenia, and she’s just great”, she described.

Another factor influencing getting Google reviews is that her patients might not be tech-savvy, or even have Google accounts.

The issue of anonymity with Google reviews has led healthcare professionals to seek alternative solutions for patient reviews.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Scott Katzman from NJ Spine & Orthopedic comments on the issue:

“We understand that healthcare is a deeply personal matter and some patients may not feel comfortable sharing their experiences publicly. To address this, we have implemented an anonymous review system on our website. This allows patients to leave feedback without disclosing their identity.
We then aggregate these anonymous reviews and use them in our marketing materials, ensuring we maintain patient confidentiality while still showcasing real experiences. This approach has been well-received by our patients and has helped us maintain a high level of trust and transparency.”

DR. Scott Katzman, NJ Spine & Orthopedic

More Doctor Review Websites

There are many platforms specifically dedicated to doctor reviews.

Find out which ones are relevant for your business, niche, and location, and get listed on these as well.

It will increase your visibility, as new clients search for healthcare providers.

Here are some of the top doctor review websites that healthcare providers should consider listing themselves on to reach more patients and build credibility through reviews:

1. Healthgrades
   One of the most well-known platforms, Healthgrades allows patients to find and review doctors based on their specialty, location, and experience. It also provides patient satisfaction ratings and other relevant information about healthcare providers.
2. Zocdoc
   Zocdoc is both a booking and review site where patients can schedule appointments directly and leave reviews afterward. Providers benefit from Zocdoc’s integration with Google, making it easier for patients to find both reviews and appointment options.
3. Vitals
   Vitals focuses on doctor reviews and ratings for specialties across the board, from primary care to specialized surgery. Patients can rate providers on several aspects, such as wait time and bedside manner, making it a popular site for comparing options.
4. RateMDs
   RateMDs lets patients rate doctors and healthcare facilities on criteria like staff, cleanliness, and helpfulness. Doctors can also respond to patient reviews, fostering a dialogue that helps improve and address patient concerns.
5. Yelp
   Though often associated with restaurants and other businesses, Yelp is also widely used for doctor and healthcare provider reviews. A profile on Yelp can help attract local patients and provide another avenue for reviews, which are visible in Google search results.
6. Facebook
   Facebook is a convenient way for patients to leave feedback and for providers to interact with them. It’s also a good platform for sharing health tips and building an engaged community around the practice.
7. WebMD
   WebMD, known as a trusted health information site, also allows patients to search for and review doctors. Doctors can create a profile to enhance their visibility to users seeking credible and reliable healthcare information.
8. CareDash
   CareDash is a growing platform focused on transparency in healthcare. It lets patients leave reviews on a doctor’s care and overall experience, offering an alternative to more traditional review sites.
9. U.S. News Doctor Finder
   This directory and review site allows patients to find doctors affiliated with hospitals ranked by U.S. News & World Report. While it’s more popular for specialists, any healthcare provider can benefit from a profile here.
10. RealSelf (for Aesthetic and Cosmetic Doctors)
    If a doctor specializes in cosmetic or aesthetic treatments, RealSelf is essential. Patients frequently search here for detailed reviews on specific treatments and doctors, making it a valuable resource for aesthetic providers.

Get Anonymous Reviews

Google reviews play a vital role in shaping healthcare decisions, particularly when it comes to selecting a doctor.

Patient feedback provides valuable insights into a doctor’s performance, reliability, and patient satisfaction.

With the increasing reliance on online research, patients often turn to Google reviews to gauge the quality of care they can expect.

Try Trustmary!

You can collect reviews, and even automate the whole process by integrating the feedback process with your current appointment system.

On the plus side, you can collect patient feedback, and patient testimonials at the same time. The patients decide what they want to say publically, and what they want only you to know.

In addition, you can embed public reviews on your website to boost trust in you.

We even offer the option to manually import reviews from other sources to be used on your website.

Further Reading

• How to Add Google Reviews to Website (for Dummies)
• 20 Tips on How to Get More Reviews from Customers
• How to Get 5-Star Google Reviews Organically
• How to Turn Online Reviews into Effective PR Tools