No single source of information will tell you everything about the competence of your physician. But there are a few places to check for red flags.
- Go to your state's regulatory website to look up a physician's license status and find out whether he or she has ever been disciplined.
- Check court records for lawsuits. Many courts have online databases that are searchable by physician name, though for case details, you may need to visit a clerk's office or courthouse.
- Verify that your doctor is board certified with the American Board of Medical Specialties at www.abms.org. The online service is free but requires registration.
- For a fee, search the Federation of State Medical Boards, at www.docinfo.org, to learn whether a doctor has been sanctioned by any medical board in the U.S.
- A service offered by the Association of State Medical Board Executive Directors at docboard.org/docfinder.html allows consumers to check board sanctions nationwide for free. Sometimes it's necessary to follow additional links to check individual state licensing boards.
Chicago Tribune
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