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Rumor has it: How do patients respond to patient-generated physician ratings?

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  • Bensnes, Simon
  • Huitfeldt, Ingrid

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of patient-generated ratings of primary care physicians in Norway. Norway has a universal health care system, with no available objective quality indicators. In May 2012, an online review platform that allows patients to rate their physician was launched. Relying on a difference-in-differences approach we show that higher-rated physicians see an increase in demand relative to lower-rated physicians. The effect is primarily driven by females and patients with high socioeconomic status. We find no indications that physicians change their practice style or supply of patient capacity in response to the ratings.

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  • Bensnes, Simon & Huitfeldt, Ingrid, 2021. "Rumor has it: How do patients respond to patient-generated physician ratings?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:76:y:2021:i:c:s0167629620310614
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2020.102415
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    Cited by:

    1. Rita Ginja & Julie Riise & Barton Willage & Alexander L.P. Willén, 2022. "Does Your Doctor Matter? Doctor Quality and Patient Outcomes," CESifo Working Paper Series 9788, CESifo.
    2. Anell, Anders & Dietrichson, Jens & Ellegård, Lina Maria & Kjellsson, Gustav, 2022. "Well-Informed Choices? Effects of Information Interventions in Primary Care on Care Quality," Working Papers 2022:2, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    3. Almorox, Eduardo Gonzalo & Stokes, Jonathan & Morciano, Marcello, 2022. "Has COVID-19 changed carer's views of health and care integration in care homes? A sentiment difference-in-difference analysis of on-line service reviews," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(11), pages 1117-1123.
    4. Bär, Marlies & Bakx, Pieter & Wouterse, Bram & van Doorslaer, Eddy, 2022. "Estimating the health value added by nursing homes," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 1-23.
    5. Godager , Geir & Scott, Anthony, 2023. "Physician Behavior and Health Outcomes," HERO Online Working Paper Series 2023:3, University of Oslo, Health Economics Research Programme.
    6. Kummer, Michael E. & Laitenberger, Ulrich & Rich, Cyrus E. & Hughes, Danny R. & Ayer, Turgay, 2021. "Healthy reviews! Online physician ratings reduce healthcare interruptions," ZEW Discussion Papers 21-075, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    7. Jianyue Liu & Zhiqiang Ma, 2023. "Optimal quality regulation on the online health platform," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-17, December.
    8. Bar, M.; & Bakx, P.; & Wouterse, B.; & van Doorslaer, Eddy.;, 2022. "Estimating the health value added by nursing homes," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 22/12, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health care demand; Information asymmetry; Patient-generated ratings;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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