Spine surgeons who are younger, personable, provide sufficient pain relief and work in favorable offices receive the most positive patient reviews online, according to a study published by New York City-based Mount Sinai School of Medicine in April.
The study evaluated 2,235 Healthgrades reviews of the Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery members, with 169 spine surgeons meeting the inclusion criteria; 98.6 percent were male and the mean age was 51.7 years old.
Four details:
1. The study found younger surgeons were significantly more likely to receive higher star ratings.
2. Positive behavioral characteristics, such as "kind" and "bedside manner," were linked with significantly improved odds of receiving positive reviews.
3. Comments on ancillary "staff" doubled the odds of receiving a positive review, but comments on "wait" times halved a surgeon's odds.
4. Comments describing pain decreased the odds of positive reviews, but those describing pain relief produced greater odds of positive reviews.
Click here for more details on the study.