When it comes to impaired physical or mental health, we look to doctors for answers and relief. If they fail us, the results can be devastating. While there are many reasons for unintentional mistakes or blatant disregard for patient welfare, alerting other patients is imperative. Taking the time to rate doctors on patient forums and other online review sites can be the difference between a great and awful experience for other patients.

Primary Doctors: As the physician patients see for routine checkups and run-of-the-mill illnesses, primary physicians hold a lot of responsibility for patients’ overall health. If you feel they are overbooked or not truly invested in your well-being, find a different doctor to see regularly.

Urgent Care Physicians: Typically treated by patients as an alternative to the hospital or primary physicians, urgent care doctors and nurses have the same credentials and training as those working for private practices or hospitals. There are 20,000 Urgent Care physicians practicing today and they see about 3 million patients each week. They will usually have more time to spend with a patient than an emergency room doctor but may have a large number of people to see. If you feel they aren’t making sound medical decisions, don’t stay silent.

Emergency Room Doctors: Emergency room doctors rarely see the same patients on a regular basis but are responsible for the health of patients during their medical emergencies. As with most emergencies, medical scares can be intimidating and stressful. While mistakes are bound to happen when it comes to the emergency room of a hospital, negligence can be the difference between life and death.

60% of Baby Boomers will be dealing with a chronic condition by 2030. This means that they will rely on their primary physician and other specialists to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. By taking the time to rate doctors on review sites, you can help other patients make informed decisions about their emotional and physical well-being.

Doctors are not immune to bad days and poor decisions. When it is more than that, it’s important to let other patients or potential patients know what they are facing.