Why I Hate Review Sites

Having worked in Beverly Hills for many years with some of the best Plastic Surgeons in the world, I have been able to get to know them, and also hear about things that go on in their practice.
 
In several practices, the topic of review sites was not a pleasant one because some of the Doctors had inaccurate postings about them on the internet.
 
Unfortunately, there is nothing they can do about it once it is out there in cyber space. So, my personal perception of these review sites was not the most stellar after watching what some physicians have gone through.
 
My latest experience with one of these sites was especially disappointing. They had contacted me a few times in the past to do an interview for a story because I am a registered nurse and am considered an “expert”. Once in a while, I commented on their website about procedures, etc.
 
Last week, I got an email from this particular site informing me that they were removing the RN suffix off of my name. I questioned them as to why they would do such a thing after they have used me as an expert, and their reply was they can only “verify” physicians. After some more emails back and forth, I just decided to delete my entire account.
 
It’s really sad and unfair that registered nurses and other healthcare professionals are not allowed to participate with their LEGAL full names on these sites, yet MDs who are not even board certified are allowed to bash other doctors left and right.
 
I wonder who is checking the validity of the “patients” posing the questions? Are they actual patients, or someone  with a fake profile and an agenda?
 
This is a perfect example of why I tell patients not to rely on review sites when choosing a Doctor.
 
The fact that they will not allow a medical professional like myself to help guide patients to find the proper procedure and physician is disheartening, because it is many times the nurses and techs who see much more than anybody else does when you’re in the operating room.
 
Proceed with caution on these sites…just because someone has many positive reviews is just as questionable as someone who has many negative reviews.
 
Sylvia Silvestri, R.N.