How Can I Check My Doctor's Ability & References?

Checking your doctor's abilities and references is a crucial aspect in making a decision regarding the doctor that is right for you. Before visiting with a doctor, having a procedure or undergoing treatment for an illness, you want to know that you are in good hands. Credentials, board certifications, hospital affiliations and the opinions of other patients can help you to make an informed decision. Using the Internet, there are many ways you can check your doctor's background.

Instructions

• 1

  Call your doctor's office. Do not be afraid to ask the staff questions. Ask about your doctor's medical schooling, residency, and fellowships, and how long the doctors have been practicing medicine. This information should be readily available. When visiting a doctor's office, check for pamphlets that contain this information.

• 2

  Use board certification websites. Check out sites related to your doctor's specialty to determine whether the doctor is board-certified. Try the American Board of Internal Medicine for internists or the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery for orthopaedic surgeons. Visit the American Board of Physician Specialties for a variety of different specialties.

• 3

  Look for a current medical license. Medical licensing information is public knowledge in most states. Visit your state's medical licensing website.

• 4

  Check out hospital affiliations. If your doctor claims to be affiliated with a particular hospital or medical facility, call the facility and find out.

• 5

  Use a "rate a doctor" website. "Rate a doctor" websites -- including RateMDs.com -- provide you with a patient perspective on a doctor's abilities. Patients are able to rate doctors based on wait time, bedside manners, professionalism, friendliness of the staff and overall experience at a visit.