How the Physician Insight Score Works: A Deep Dive

The Physician Insight Score is the core metric behind every doctor profile on Physician Signal. But unlike a simple star rating, it's designed to capture the complexity of what makes a great physician.

Six Categories, One Score

Every peer review on Physician Signal rates a physician across six distinct categories:

1. Surgical Skill — Technical precision, anatomical knowledge, and procedural efficiency

2. Bedside Manner — Communication with patients and families, empathy, and approachability

3. Professionalism — Punctuality, preparedness, ethical conduct, and respect for colleagues

4. Tech Openness — Willingness to adopt new technologies, techniques, and evidence-based practices

5. Staff Collaboration — How well they work with nurses, techs, anesthesia, and the broader care team

6. Clinical Outcomes — Observed patient results, complication management, and follow-up care

Each category is rated on a 1-10 scale, giving reviewers the granularity to distinguish between "adequate" and "exceptional." Search for any physician to see their Insight Score breakdown.

Weighted, Not Averaged

Not all reviews carry equal weight. Our scoring algorithm considers:

The Grading Scale

The final Insight Score maps to a letter grade for quick reference:

Why 1-10 Instead of 1-5?

Most review platforms use a 5-star scale, which creates a clustering problem — the vast majority of ratings end up between 4 and 5 stars. A 1-10 scale provides twice the resolution, making it easier to distinguish between good and great, and allowing more meaningful comparisons between physicians.

Continuous Improvement

The Insight Score updates in real-time as new reviews come in. A physician's score reflects their current practice, not just a snapshot from years ago. This encourages continuous improvement and gives healthcare professionals confidence that the scores reflect recent experience. See the latest reviews or ready to contribute? Submit a peer review and help build the signal.