How to Check a Doctor's Credentials and History

As a patient, you have a right to know whether your physician is qualified to diagnose and treat your condition. You're entitled to quality health care, which means being cautious with whom you choose as your physician. You can identify if your physician has had malpractice suits in other states or has ever been placed on board suspension. A board suspension of a physician's license means she was found negligent in a patient's treatment in some way.

Instructions

• 1

  Make sure your physician is certified.

  Find out if your physician is board certified. To be certified, he must have completed his residency and passed a written exam in his field of specialty. According to the American Board of Medical Specialties, physicians must also be recertified every six to ten years, to keep up to date with their fields of specialty.

• 2

  Don't be hesitant to get information.

  Investigate your physician. The Administrators in Medicine DocFinder, is a free physician directory that can help you identify if your physician is licensed and whether she has had disciplinary action taken against her.

• 3

  Ensure that your physician is educated.

  Identify your physician's educational background. If he is part of the American Medical Association, you can gain information such as educational history, whether he is board certified and whether he is allowed to have hospital privileges.

• 4

  The more experience, the better.

  Ask your physician if she ever had a fellowship, has practiced for five or more years, has received any awards and if she's ever taught at medical institutions. Experience and awards are a good sign.

• 5

  Be thorough with your background check.

  Contact your state's medical board. Determine through the board whether your physician's training is complete, that he has no limitations to his practice, that he is authorized to write prescriptions and that he isn't limited from any hospital privileges.