New Doctor Ratings Directory ContainsProfiles for Over 800,000 U.S. Doctors
Seattle, WA - November 1, 2010 - After growing to become the world's largest lawyer ratings directory, Avvo Inc., (www.avvo.com) has expanded its offerings to help consumers navigate the medical field.
Today, Avvo launched its free doctor ratings directory, changing the way consumers find information that impacts their healthcare and allowing them to interact with doctors online. Avvo also introduced a free medical question and answer forum where certified doctors answer consumers' health-related questions.
Consumers are increasingly looking for information about their health on the web. comScore reported 96.6 million people in the U.S. were looking for health information online in the month of August alone. But, even though people are looking for doctors on the web, they are not finding unbiased, robust information to help guide them.
In a recent survey commissioned by Avvo, 80 percent of consumers spent two hours or less researching their last doctor. The survey also found 65 percent of respondents admitted to spending more time researching family vacations than a pediatrician for their children, and 49 percent said they spend more time researching a new family car than a new family doctor.
To help consumers get more information and better guidance regarding their health matters, Avvo offers detailed information about a doctor's background, experience and disciplinary record, as well as an editorial Avvo Rating for every doctor, and patient and peer ratings, all in one place.
Avvo's free doctor directory contains profiles for over 800,000 doctors (90 percent of licensed doctors) throughout the nation. Unlike other doctor directories and resources, Avvo does not charge visitors for its robust information, instead focusing on getting those in need as much information as possible, as easily as possible.
"As evidenced by our survey results, consumers are not spending time on their health issues because they are overwhelmed by medicine's big words, complex procedures and serious consequences," said Mark Britton, founder and CEO at Avvo. "Because of this, many people simply run into the arms of ‘pay-to-play' directories where the "recommended" doctor is the one paying the most to advertise."
Avvo is advertising-sponsored; however, advertising does not impact a doctor's Avvo Rating or his or her participation or placement in Avvo's search results.
Supporting Avvo's new medical offering is a world-class Board of Medical Advisors:
"In the legal arena, we grew from concept to market leader in three years by helping consumers make better choices related to their legal matters," continued Britton. "With the support of our medical advisors - some of the brightest minds in medicine - along with our extensive consumer and doctor research, we expect to usher in a new era for consumers who need help choosing the right doctor and researching their medical needs."
About Avvo
Avvo
is the largest and only free website that empowers consumers to handle their medical
and legal matters with confidence. Avvo offers free ratings and profiles for 90% of practicing lawyers and 90% of licensed MDs in the US. This
includes the editorial Avvo Rating, patient and client reviews and peer
endorsements, as well as experience, background information, industry
achievements and disciplinary records. Avvo also offers a free question and answer
forum, where consumers can ask questions and receive answers from certified
doctorsand lawyers. Additionally, Avvo Legal Guides and Avvo Health Guides are
free research tools, written as how-to articles covering everyday issues authored
by certified lawyers and doctors. Founded in early 2006 and launched in 2007,
Avvo is privately held, with funding from private investors, Benchmark Capital,
Ignition Partners and DAG Ventures. For more information, visit www.avvo.com.