Write what brought you in, what the doctor did, how you felt afterward, plus timing, staff, access, billing; keep facts, dates, and details specific.
Clear, fair feedback helps patients choose care with confidence and helps clinics see what works. A strong doctor review sticks to first hand experience, offers detail, and avoids guesswork. The steps below keep the tone steady while giving readers the info they came for.
Writing a review for a doctor: step-by-step
Grab a notepad or your phone before you post. Jot down dates, the reason for your visit, who you saw, and any follow up. Then shape a short story that follows a clean arc: why you went, what happened during the visit, what changed after, and whether you would return.
| What to include | What to note | Sample wording |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for visit | Symptoms, checkup, referral, or procedure | I booked for ongoing knee pain after a sports injury. |
| Access | Booking, online portal, parking, directions, wheelchair access | Online booking worked, and the ramp at the side entrance fit my chair. |
| Timing | Check in time, wait time, length of visit | Check in took five minutes; I waited ten; the visit lasted twenty. |
| Staff | Front desk, nurse, assistant | The nurse explained the blood draw and checked that I felt okay. |
| Communication | Listening, plain language, options, consent | Dr. Rahman listened, laid out two options, and asked if I had questions. |
| Exam or tests | What was ordered and why | We did an x ray to rule out a fracture since pain had lasted a month. |
| Treatment | Plan, meds, dose, self care, referrals | I started naproxen and daily stretches and got a referral to physio. |
| Follow up | Next steps, portal messages, call backs | A message arrived the next day with printed exercises and a follow up date. |
| Outcomes | Pain level, sleep, activity, side effects | After two weeks I could jog short distances; no side effects. |
| Billing | Estimate, price clarity, insurance code help | The office explained the copay and shared a written estimate. |
| Overall rating | Stars or a short headline | Four stars for clear advice and smooth follow up. |
Lead with facts. Use names or roles when helpful, like “nurse Mina” or “the weekend receptionist.” Keep any medical details about yourself that you are comfortable sharing; skip info about other patients. A short headline at the end helps skimmers spot your take in a second.
Draft a clean structure
A simple format keeps your post readable on phones and desktops alike. Start with one or two lines about your visit goal. Add a short paragraph on the visit itself. Add one more on results in the days or weeks after. Close with a line that sums up your rating and a reason.
Use numbers and plain words
Numbers help strangers gauge scale. Write minutes, days, doses, or distances. Keep jargon out. Swap “otorhinolaryngologist” for “ear, nose, and throat doctor.” If a term belongs in the story, define it in brackets once.
How to write a doctor review that patients trust
A steady tone builds trust. Praise where due, and flag issues without insults. Share what you saw and heard, not rumors. If the clinic gave a discount, a voucher, or a gift tied to reviews, say so. The FTC endorsement guides ask for clear disclosure when something of value might sway a review.
Stick to first hand experience
Write only about care you received. Do not rate a doctor based on stories from a friend or a headline. Platforms also ask for this. Read the current Google review content policy before you post on Maps or a Business Profile.
Respect privacy and safety
Avoid full names of other patients and skip photos of people who have not agreed. Clinics follow privacy rules and may not be able to reply with details. If you want to read how health data works in the United States, the HIPAA Privacy Rule page explains what counts as protected health information.
Balance praise and critique
Readers trust a level tone. Share bright spots and gaps in the same post. If the check in line was slow yet the exam was careful and clear, say both. If billing felt confusing but the clinic fixed it after a call, include that follow up.
Pick the right platform and format
Pick one or two places where people search for doctors in your area. Many use a search engine, a map app, or a large review site. Some hospitals and clinics collect comments through their own portal. If a platform has a review policy, skim it first so your post stays live. When posting on a Business Profile, the policy hub lays out rules and what can trigger removal.
Choose length with intent
Short posts help readers scan. A longer post suits complex care. Either way, stick to a single visit or a short series. If you want to write about months of care, split into clear parts with dates so readers can follow the timeline.
Rate with context
Pair a star rating with a one line reason. “Three stars due to long wait, balanced by clear follow up” tells more than a number alone. If the platform allows tags or categories, use them. Tags like “routine visit,” “urgent slot,” or “new patient” add quick context.
Doctor review template you can copy
Use this outline when words stall. Replace the bracketed parts with your details and keep your voice natural.
Headline: [Short phrase with your take]
Visit: [Date]. I saw [doctor name] for [reason]. I checked in at [time] and waited [minutes].
Care: The visit lasted [minutes]. We talked through [options]. I had [exam or test]. The plan was [treatment].
Follow up: I received [message or call] on [date] with [instructions or results].
Outcome: After [days or weeks], I noticed [change]. Side effects: [none or brief note].
Access and costs: Booking was [easy or hard]. Parking or transit was [note]. I paid [amount] or a copay, and the office [explained or did not explain] charges.
Rating: [X] stars. I would or would not return because [reason].
Common pitfalls and how to fix them
Heat of the moment
Strong feelings can bend facts. Draft, take a walk, and return with a cooler head. If you still feel the same, post. If not, edit. Calm words travel farther.
Hearsay
Skip second hand claims. If a neighbor had a rough time, that belongs in a separate post by that person. Your review works best when it stays inside your lane.
Speculation
Leave diagnosis and motives to clinicians. Write what happened and how it affected you. “I waited ninety minutes” beats “they overbook patients.”
Private details you may regret sharing
Once posted, snippets can spread. Share only what you would say in a crowded hallway. If you want to raise a sensitive topic, some systems collect private feedback through forms or patient relations teams.
Words and tone that keep readers with you
Strong writing uses plain words, steady verbs, and short lines. The table below swaps vague claims for crisp phrases that help strangers understand your day in the clinic.
| Better choice | Replace | Why it reads better |
|---|---|---|
| The nurse explained the shot step by step. | The staff was great. | Shows a clear action, not a fuzzy label. |
| I received a portal reply within two hours. | They respond fast. | Adds a number that grounds the claim. |
| Consent was checked before the exam. | They respect patients. | Points to a moment readers can picture. |
| The plan listed three options with risks. | The doctor laid out everything. | Names the count and signals shared choices. |
| I left with printed stretches and a link. | Good advice. | Concrete tools beat a vague compliment. |
| My estimate matched the final bill. | Fair prices. | Ties price talk to a real event. |
| The waiting room was standing room only. | It was crowded. | Sets a scene with plain words. |
Examples of short, useful reviews
Sample 1, routine care: I saw Dr. Khan for an annual exam. Check in took four minutes; I waited eight. We reviewed labs from last year, updated vaccines, and set a walking goal. I left with a printed plan and a portal message. Five stars for clear talk and a calm pace.
Sample 2, urgent slot: Walk in for sharp ear pain. The assistant triaged me within fifteen minutes. The doctor checked my ear, diagnosed an infection, and sent a script. Pain dropped by day three. Four stars for speed and clear dosing; one star off due to a long line at checkout.
Sample 3, mixed visit: New patient visit for migraines. Waited forty minutes past my time. The doctor listened and changed my meds with a careful taper. A nurse called the next day to check in. Three stars due to the delay; care felt thorough once I was in the room.
Sample 4, billing snag: Follow up after a sprain. Care was smooth, but my bill missed an insurance code. The office fixed it after a quick call and sent a corrected invoice. Four stars for service and a fast fix.
Questions to ask yourself before posting
- Would a stranger understand what happened from the words you wrote?
- Did you share times, dates, names, and steps without revealing private info about others?
- Did you write about your own care only?
- Did you balance praise and critique in a single post?
- Did you disclose any gift or discount tied to reviews?
After you post: fair follow up
Watch for a reply from the clinic. Many teams thank patients and invite a private chat for details. If a reply points out a clear error, edit your post. If the clinic fixes a problem you named, add a short update so readers see the full story.
When to use a private channel first
Some problems need direct contact first. A wrong dose, results sent to the wrong person, a safety lapse, or rude behavior that risks harm should reach the clinic fast. Patient relations or an office manager can act. Keep notes with names, dates, and your request. After a reply, you can post and explain clearly how the team responded.
When writing a later review about a serious event, stay factual and avoid naming other patients. Share what happened, how the clinic handled it, and what you saw change. Many readers value honest follow through and clear timelines.
Write with accessibility in mind
Most readers scan on phones. Short paragraphs and clear headings help them find answers fast. Use bullets for lists and digits for numbers. Avoid sarcasm or slang that can confuse readers in other regions. If you use an acronym, spell it out once, then use the short form.
Calm, neutral words carry weight
When a visit goes badly, a steady voice reaches more people than an angry rant. Try “I felt rushed during the exam and left with two questions” instead of “they did not care.” If a staff member turned things around, name that as well. The goal is a clear record that helps strangers choose care.
Edit and update without losing clarity
Your view can change over time. If you go back and have a new experience that shifts your take, add an update with a date stamp. Keep the old text so readers see the arc. If the team fixed the problem you raised, say what changed. If a new issue came up, start a new paragraph labeled with the new date so the two visits do not blur together.
Data points that help searchers compare
Small facts help people sort choices. Add any you saw during your visit.
Taking notes during care to make reviewing easier
Small notes make a big difference later. Snap a photo of your wristband for the date. Keep a list of meds, doses, and changes in your phone. Save portal messages. Write one line per day about pain, sleep, steps, or mood. These details turn a fuzzy memory into a clear timeline that helps the next patient find care that fits.