How Can I Find My Doctor's History for Free?

Going to the doctor can be a nerve-wracking experience, and the anxiety of a doctor visit may increase if you do not have any details about your doctor's history, qualifications or disciplinary actions. These are common concerns for patients---and fee-based internet sites have sprung up to help consumers learn more about their physicians. Fortunately, you do not have to pay money to obtain information on your doctor. Credentialing organizations, like licensing bodies and certification groups, offer your doctor's history for free with some simple research.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet service

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Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor. The best way to learn your doctor's history for free is to ask. Not only is this a good source of information, but, by having the conversation, you build a rapport and relationship to put you at ease. Ask questions about training and specialty and if there have been any lawsuits or complaints from patients. If you do not feel comfortable discussing this with your doctor directly, talk to the staff. Ask the nurses in the office. Ultimately your doctor is your partner in health, so a discussion about professional details is critical to laying the foundation of trust and mutual respect.

• 2

  Research hospitals where he has privileges. Most community hospitals feature the professional biographies of the doctors who practice medicine there. Check the hospital's website, the site for the clinical service where the practice is located or call the hospital's general information line and ask for the right department. The hospital clinical department staff may help you find information about your doctor's education, training and certifications. Also, ask the nurses who work with your physician at the hospital if they could give you information about bedside manner and surgical competence.

• 3

  Search through state licensure organizations. All state medical boards offer consumers a way to check backgrounds for doctors who practice medicine within that state. The Administrators in Medicine, a trade group representing the leaders of state medical boards, offers an online tool to search for physician information free of charge, as well as a complete directory to every state medical board in the United States. Although each state's website varies, it will allow a search for individual physicians that yields current education and licensure information, training history, certifications and any disciplinary or malpractice actions on record.

• 4

  Check certification bodies. The American Board of Medical Specialties offers an online search tool to check if your doctor has achieved board certification in a specialty. After completing a free registration process, the ABMS tool allows you to search by individual physician name or to produce a list of board certified physicians in your area. Click on each entry for more information.