Imagine being able to search for a local, reliable doctor that was recommended by a nurse. That’s the idea behind thenurseschoice.com, the creation of Sue Marie Hauser, an RN with a Master’s degree from ASU in Tempe, AZ and former teacher at their nursing college. She conceived the idea after giving advice to friends and family for many years about where to find the best doctors. Her answer was always: “You should ask a nurse, because they know the doctors best.” This concept was put to the test in 2004, when she was hospitalized for pneumonia and needed a specialist. She then realized that there was no where to find unbiased referrals and after a long recovery, planned her site in early 2005. She now asks fellow nurses to recommend physicians in every field and rate the physician according to a grading scale. In addition, patients are encouraged to add their own ratings.
The Nurse’s Choice, LLC is a membership-based Internet site that accepts no advertising making it free of banner and pop-up ads and easily downloaded using ordinary dial-up service. It also provides a comprehensive resource of healthcare information with searchable content. For a small monthly fee, a member can research an illness, drug, vitamin, alternative medicine, or any other health-related topic. Also, as their area becomes available, the member has unlimited access to a database of physicians, dentists, eye doctors, and chiropractors that can be searched by geographic area, insurance plans, specialties, and many other criteria. A customizable newsletter, events calendar, recent health articles, links to other health-related sites, and an interactive health forum are all included in the cost. Members can also fill out a secured personal medical file where they can access important numbers and health history from any computer, at anytime. Finally, an email-based nurse’s Answer-Line is available for members and non-members to answer health-related questions, 24/7.
The Nurse’s Choice donates to local charities such as children’s sports groups, clubs, churches, or other organizations in exchange for doctor referrals from nurses and patients. In addition, any individual that wants to do fundraising as part of a membership drive can apply for donations. Details are on the site. In an attempt to keep the site unbiased, doctors cannot post their own information. Initially, it will contain current health information, open to anyone, worldwide. From then on, cities will be added as nurses give their doctor referrals building a database for over 50 cities throughout the US. Members can choose from monthly or annual credit card payments
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