Health Check Ep 50: Pros and cons of online doctor reviews

11:51 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times. 

Today’s episode is on online doctor reviews.

Recently, the Singapore medical council (SMC) advised doctors to refrain from participating in online search engine optimisation platforms that make use of patient feedback and ratings, as these can be considered patient testimonials.

It all started when a group of doctors cried foul over not having the option to pull out of online platform DoctorxDentist (DxD) that offered reviews, in addition to health content.

The start-up had listed the names of doctors it found on the SMC directory. The Singapore Medical Association and the Health Ministry subsequently got involved.

DxD has since switched to an opt-in algorithm, and removed all the reviews on its platform. Although the DxD saga is over, the issue of online reviews is not.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Jeremy Lim, the director of global health at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health on the pros and cons of online doctor reviews. 

Listen to Pt 2 with Associate Prof Jeremy Lim on how to find the right doctor: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/how-to-find-the-right-doctor-health-check-ep-51

Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.