How to Research Your Surgeon's Record

When you're going in for surgery of any kind, it's perfectly natural to feel nervous. Concerns about the capabilities of your surgeon will only make those fears worse. To allay your anxiety, follow these simple steps to check on your surgeon's record.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit your local library and ask for the latest edition of the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) Directory. Look for your surgeon to confirm that he or she is certified. You can also find the directory at the ABMS Web site.

• 2

  Perform a background check on your surgeon. You can have a private detective perform an investigation, or use an Internet background check service to look into his or her personal history. Web sites like Doctor Background Check and MD Nationwide offer background check services.

• 3

  Confer with the state medical board. Each state has its own medical board which certifies physicians to work within the state. Find a list of state medical boards at the Federation of State Medical Boards Web site.

• 4

  Ask for references from other surgery patients.

• 5

  Interview the surgeon. Find out which school they attended, and contact the school for information regarding their performance before and after graduation.