How to Find Free Information on Doctors

Prospective patients have the right to be informed before selecting a doctor. For some, the fact-finding process may seem tedious, intimidating or time-consuming. However, this process is educational and of vital importance when inquiring about a health-care provider. Learn how to use governmental boards and agencies, directories and search engines to help you find free information on doctors.

Instructions

How to Find Free Information on Doctors

• 1

  Get free detailed information on doctors by visiting your state medical-board's website. Each state offers comprehensive information on all licensed doctors, including disciplinary actions.

  Another useful resource is the American Board of Medical Specialties. This is a not-for-profit organization. According to their website http://www.abms.org, the ABMS is recognized as the "gold standard" in physician certification and believes higher standards for physicians mean better care for patients.

  The American Medical Association features a resource called the Doctor Finder. This tool provides basic information on almost every licensed doctor in the United States.

• 2

  Visit www.healthgrades.com. This site provides you with the gender of a doctor, the languages they speak, the type of medicine practiced, insurance plans accepted, and years they have been practicing medicine since graduation. This site also provides you with every state in which the doctor is licensed to practice medicine.

  UcompareHealthCare, also known as UCHC, has a website with a cleaver section titled, "Doctor Quick Check Report." The report provides the doctor's office address along with a Google map. You can find out if the doctor has had any public disciplinary actions, as well as the hospital affiliations, board certifications and educational background. Visit http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com for free information.

• 3

  Hospitals provide a directory of all practicing doctors affiliated with their organizations and clinics. You can get this information by visiting your local hospital or simply going online. You should know either the doctor's last name or the type of practice before searching.

• 4

  Conducting a simple Internet search on Google or Mozilla Firefox helps yield quick results. Type in the first and last name and find out if the doctor has a website. Depending on his or her popularity, you may also find a message board that gives a snapshot of another patient's experience with the doctor.