Pat, the problem with putting such a large burden on patients to substantiate their claims is that fewer people will make the effort to post their negative experiences. It is one thing to help the community by anonymously posting a negative review, but it is quite another to be faced with documentation requirements and the possibility of an unwanted confrontation with the physician. Most people who post negative comments are trying to warn others before they make a tragic life-altering mistake. However, if the disincentives of doing so are made too high, people just wont bother. Verifying that someone is a patient by asking for pictures and documentation is a great idea, but that's where it should stop. True patients won't post negative comments if they are happy with a procedure and we readers are smart enough to distinguish between unreasonable criticisms and valid concerns. Besides, there is always some truth in every observation and no physician is perfect.
Pat, the problem with putting such a large burden on patients to substantiate their claims is that fewer people will make the effort to post their negative experiences. It is one thing to help the community by anonymously posting a negative review, but it is quite another to be faced with documentation requirements and the possibility of an unwanted confrontation with the physician. Most people who post negative comments are trying to warn others before they make a tragic life-altering mistake. However, if the disincentives of doing so are made too high, people just wont bother. Verifying that someone is a patient by asking for pictures and documentation is a great idea, but that's where it should stop. True patients won't post negative comments if they are happy with a procedure and we readers are smart enough to distinguish between unreasonable criticisms and valid concerns. Besides, there is always some truth in every observation and no physician is perfect.