Top Doctors 2011
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO PICKS THE DOCTORS ON THE LIST?
The local medical community does. This year, we combined forces with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd, an independent medical researcher, to survey a total of 5,501 licensed doctors in the tricounty area and southwestern Washington, inviting them each to nominate up to 25 outstanding doctors in the region in 59 specialties. These results were combined with Castle Connolly’s extensive nationwide survey. Quite simply, those with the most nominations won.
HOW DID YOU ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE LIST?
Before the results were tallied, Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team individually verified that doctors did not vote for themselves, checked the credentials of each participant and nominee, and made sure that all medical licenses were active and in good standing with the appropriate state medical board (at press time). Finally, Portland Monthly’s research department independently double-checked the final list with the doctors and hospitals themselves.
WHY DOESN’T YOUR LIST INCLUDE DOCTORS OF PODIATRY OR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?
For the sake of standardization, we defined “doctor” as a licensed medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO). However, we know that acupuncturists, naturopaths, chiropractors, and other doctors are vital to many Portlanders’ health. And, in fact, some doctors on the list may subspecialize in alternative practices.
I AM A DOCTOR AND MY SPECIALTY DOESN’T APPEAR ON YOUR LIST. WHY NOT?
Certain specialties, like emergency medicine and trauma surgery, were omitted because patients do not typically choose their own doctors in those fields. Further, some were excluded because of a low sample size. The specialties that do appear on the list have been certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties and are the ones most commonly used by patients.
CAN DOCTORS PAY TO BE ON THE LIST?
Absolutely not. Our top doctors are chosen based on the number of nominations they receive from the physicians who participated in the survey.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED THAT SOME DOCTORS ARE JUST VOTING FOR THEIR FRIENDS?
While some bias is inevitable, we received more than 1,800 unique nominations—an exceptionally large response that helps mitigate the “buddy effect.” And, of course, we encourage all participants to give their nominations thoughtful consideration.
IF MY DOCTOR ISN’T ON THE LIST, SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?
Not at all. Many good doctors don’t appear on the list. Doctors working in large hospitals, department heads, and physicians who have been practicing a long time may simply be better known than doctors in a small or private practice.
SEARCH THE 2011 TOP DOCTORS DATABASE
Published: January 2011
I find it absolutely absurd that Naturopaths and Chinese Medicine physicians were not included. You are a Portland based magazine, home to the first and most prestigious natural medicine college in the country if not the world. How blind and narrow minded is your publication?
I am curious how your publication came up with these Doctors? Kaiser has wonderful physicians and don’t think they would diminish to the puny showing that appears in this years “top docs.” I am sure that the Kaiser doctors that take care of my parents and myself should be on the list, but maybe they didn’t meet the bribe membership quote to be in this listing. Disappointed that purchasing profile enhancements makes you a top doctor, not care of your patients! Shame shame!
Bogus! You should state specifically how your poll is done and how the results are determined.
They do explain how the survery is done and why they don’t include Naturopaths and Chinese Medicine physicians. I agreee that I would like to see a list of Naturopaths and Chinese Medicine physicians. Instead of getting all upset you should provide feedback requesting such a list.
You may not like OHSU but in truth they trained about 1/3 of all physicians in Oregon.
I work in healthcare and I know how this was done. All doctors in the area were asked to vote for whom they respected and who their patients liked. Nothing was purchased and none of mine voted for themselves. They voted for who they referred patients to the most. I guess this is a popularity contest if you understand that skill makes you popular. I am sorry but among most physicians I know Kaiser does not have as good of a reputation. This list does not shock me at all.
What a list and what a disappointment. Your list is filled with specialists and your magazine is filled with glamour and beauty medicine advertisements from a plethora of plastic surgeons. There is one Family Practice physician listed and yet this is the area of medicine where there is a severe shortage of providers and money for care. No wonder Americans are confused about health care reform. Reading your rag, one would think that the key to health and disease prevention is just dialing up one of your advertisers and getting in for a tummy tuck, face lift or breast augmentation. Get real and try again. This is a severe letdown. Or perhaps it is I who is misreading you and your intended audience of the gitterati?
Castle Connelly bases their ratings on the recommendations of national experts, many of whom are academic, so that is why OHSU is heavily represented here. I am surprised and disappointed that the director of the Oregon Clinic would make such a blanket statement about the reputation of Kaiser doctors. As a Kaiser doctor who has won this award a few years ago, I would say that the process of nomination for this award has gotten increasingly complex, and frankly most of my Kaiser colleagues are too busy taking care of patients to jump through the hoops of filling the long online form out. I hope that most readers would understand that the quality of doctors varies throughout every health system and not judge doctors by their health plan affiliation alone.
why cant i access the archived article? Id really like to read it. I cant find it anywhere….