Highmark launches a dating-like site to find Dr. Right
Meredith Newman
You might not find Dr. McDreamy or McSteamy, but Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware wants to help you find Dr. Right.
The insurance company has launched "Doctor Match," a website where Delawareans can find a primary care doctor or OB-GYN by answering a series of compatibility questions focusing on health care philosophy and needs.
And you don't need to have Highmark insurance to take the quiz.
The insurer found that members preferred to use the internet when looking for reviews, ratings and general information about possible doctors, said Dr. Charles DeShazer, Highmark's chief medical officer in a release.
Most people define the quality of their healthcare by the relationship they have with their doctor rather than the actual care they receive, he said.
Before taking the quiz, patients specify if they are looking for a primary care doctor or an OB-GYN and enter a zip code, in order to find the closest doctors' offices. The quiz itself consists of 30 questions that measure about 20 "dimensions of compatibility," officials said.
The questions include picking between a doctor who is warm and conversational and a doctor who is efficient and thorough and whether patients prefer a doctor who practices alternative medicine. It also asks if patients are OK with a nurse or staff calling them about their health information, or whether they prefer the doctor to do it.
Once the quiz is completed, the website will calculate the top matches for each person with a compatibility match score. People also have the opportunity to further narrow their results by specifying gender, languages spoken and specialty.
When you select a doctor's profile, the website will indicate if the doctor is a "top match" and what values you both share, such as straight talk, minimal intervention and friendly conversation. The profile will also say if the doctor is accepting new patients and provides a contact number to setup an appointment.
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Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or mnewman@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @MereNewman.