A 2025 report by rater8 INTRODUCTION

In 2025 , the majority of patients will decide on their healthcare provider long before they walk through the door and online reviews are at the centre of this decision-making process . Patients are navigating their healthcare journeys much like consumers in other industries : browsing online for options , comparing providers through profile descriptions , scrolling through reviews from other patients and booking appointments based on convenience . Although patients rely heavily on online reviews when choosing a provider , most aren ’ t leaving them , creating a gap between the information patients seek and what ’ s actually available . In many cases , online reviews carry even more weight than personal recommendations , shaping decisions in ways that healthcare organisations can ’ t afford to overlook .

The findings from rater8 ’ s patient preferences survey will highlight patients ’ growing reliance on reviews and offer a path forward for healthcare providers .

Do online patient reviews really matter ?

The data is clear : online reviews are no longer a supplementary tool for patients – they are a driving force behind healthcare decisions , with 84 % of patients checking online reviews before choosing new healthcare providers .

Imagine prospective patients driving past a billboard advertisement of a healthcare practice . Most are not immediately picking up the phone to book an appointment ; instead , they ’ re opening a browser to Google the provider , and they know exactly what they want to see .

Does this practice have dozens of recent reviews ? Are their ratings high ? A quick scan of negative comments about long wait times or poor bedside manners

20 www . intelligenthealth . tech