RAND encourages providers to share performance data
September 27, 2015
RAND offered a critique of Propublica's Surgeon Scorecard. Without commenting on whether issues raised were valid, the critique is probably one of the most detailed pieces that I have encountered regarding the methodology used in Surgeon Scorecard. I am glad that others are engaging in this conversation, but the line that stood out the most to me was actually not directed towards Propublica.
The report notes that "It is important to advise... providers to substantially improve their efforts to collect and share useful performance data publicly," underscoring the dearth of meaningful performance data, and the responsibility of the medical community to share this data. RAND notes that Propublica's efforts could be one step in a much longer journey for the industry to develop better reports, even while noting Surgeon Scorecard's failings. We too hope that Propublica's efforts and RAND's critique will move the industry further in helping consumers make better decisions.