How to Find Free Background Information on Doctors

Although there is plenty of background information on doctors available online, many websites charge to obtain the information or report. Finding free background information on doctors is a relatively simple process, if you know where to look. The key is using resources from professional specialty groups, certification bodies and state boards of medicine. These sources will allow you to search for a physician's training, board certification, areas of specialization, disciplinary actions or malpractice claims.

Instructions

Searching by specialty board certification

• 1

  Direct your web browser to the American Board of Medical Specialties' verification tool for doctors at http://www.abms.org/Who_We_Help/Consumers/verifying.aspx. This site will show you a physician's areas of specialization and board certifications. You will need to register for a username and password to access this search tool, but registration is free of charge.

• 2

  Enter the doctor's name and location to search the database.

• 3

  Browse the free profile information that results from the search.

Searching by state boards of medicine resources

• 4

  Find the link to your state board of medicine by searching the American Board of Medical Specialties' index of state boards of medicine at http://www.fsmb.org/directory_smb.html.

• 5

  Click on the link for your state board of medicine's website.

• 6

  Find the link for physician profiles on the state board of medicine website, and search for your doctor. Profile information from the state board of medicine---which includes education, training, certifications, disciplinary actions or malpractice claims---is free of charge.

Searching with other resources that draw from state databases

• 7

  Direct your web browser to the Administrators in Medicine Doctor Finder at http://www.docboard.org/docfinder.html.

• 8

  Locate the link for your state's medical or osteopathic board among the list provided. Click the link to search for your doctor.

• 9

  Profile information provided through the Doctor Finder---which includes education, training, areas of specialization, board certification, disciplinary actions or malpractice claims---is free of charge.