New website allows patients to 'rate' doctors

ABU DHABI // Patients in the capital can now find a doctor, or check their doctor's credentials, at the click of a button. A new website launched by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) also allows people to "rate" their doctors out of five. Patients can either search for a doctor by name, or simply enter a location and speciality. The website displays the doctor's nationality, photograph, gender, experience and qualifications. Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, head of customer services and corporate communications and HAAD, said he hoped the increased transparency would improve health services. "Providing reliable information empowers consumer choice," he said. "This creates better incentives at all levels, and motivates the entire system to provide better services." The public has the right to choose the doctor they find "suitable" for their needs, he added, saying that the doctor's directory will ensure all licensed professionals are accessible to everyone. Zaid al Siksek, the chief executive of HAAD, said the new system would help improve "self care" by providing "continuously updated information to the public. According to HAAD, there are 5,142 doctors. 8,142 nurses and 5,630 clinical and administrative staff working across the emirate. Mariam Al Hosany, an Emirati who lives in Abu Dhabi and studies in Al Ain, said the website would be very helpful. "I need to find a doctor for a surgery at the moment so it's very good that I can check they are qualified and licensed to do it," she said. "Especially with so many doctors we want to make sure they are qualified." As well as the "find a physician" function, www.haad.ae/adpd also include Minhaal, a directory that lists conditions, symptoms and treatments. It is available in Arabic and English. Visitors to the site can click on general symptoms, such as loss of appetite, abdominal pain or nerve pain, and find a list of possible ailments. [e-mail]