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Why should we build ‘Suggest a Doctor’ tool?



When I am not sure which movie or tv show to watch next, Netflix has a list of recommendations personalized based on my viewing history.

When I am shopping on Amazon, I get to see ‘items commonly bought together’ or list of other items ‘I may like’.

When I am trying to find a PCP or a specialist, I rely on family and friends, and to some extent google, yelp, Healthgrades or ZocDoc. I spend a lot of time visiting multiple websites researching for reviews, making sure that doctor I am researching is in network / covered under my insurance plan, making sure he / she matches my preferences about qualification, experience, age and gender. 

And then I wonder, why I have help on offer when I am trying to watch a movie or shop online, but not much help when it comes to selecting a doctor.

I think it is due to following reasons:
  • Not many Technology / Healthcare technology companies see monetary value in using technology / data for helping people select a doctor right for them.
  • Importance of finding a doctor and difficulty in doing so through manual research is underestimated and hence not considered ‘a problem worth solving’.
  • Regulations / compliance issues make it difficult for Technology companies and act a as 'barrier to entry’.
  • Perception that technology, data and algorithms will not be able to do a good job when it comes to recommending a doctor.

As a consumer of healthcare services, I consider process of ‘finding the right doctor’ painful due to lack of organized and personalized support to aid my decision making. Here is an idea of how our members can be helped by us creating ‘Suggest a Doctor’ tool.  

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