More than 230,000 patients were surveyed and 651 clinics were rated in the Minnesota HealthScores survey, a joint project of the Minnesota Department of Health and the nonprofit MN Community Measurement. The results are posted online, and consumers can use them to compare how providers rated. Officials said it's the most comprehensive look yet at patient experiences on a statewide basis anywhere in the U.S. And they acknowledged the scrutiny might make some doctors and clinics nervous.

"When somebody's looking over our shoulder, and kind of grading us, there's a little bit of anxiety. But the worst is if you're not going a good job and you don't know it," Dr. Ed Ehlinger, the state's health commissioner, told reporters.

Overall, the survey found, Minnesotans are happy with their care and satisfied with their providers. The survey scored clinics in four categories: access to care, provider-patient communications, whether officer staffers are courteous and helpful, and how many patients rate their provider a nine or 10.