Spy Review

Doctors command a lot of respect because people go to them in a moment of need, and their reputation of doing good often raises them on a pedestal beyond criticism and doubt. People just take them for granted. However, doctors are no angels and some have been known to carry bad records in the form of previous failings, sexual misdemeanours, and some do not even have adequate qualifications.

Before you just go through the telephone and find the nearest doctor, it would be in your best interest to do a bit of research. No matter where you look in big cities or small country towns, doctors are losing their practices due to all kinds of disciplinary actions from drug use to rape. Before you let any doctor examine you, you should do your homework so you do not wind up being another statistic.

This particular post is aimed more towards our American readers because I am not sure the same service is available in the UK just yet.

Until a few years ago, information regarding physicians (General Practitioners) was not for public eyes. The only people that could see this information were members of the state medical boards or health care associations. Today, you can learn the same information such as if your doctor has had any disciplinary actions against him or her, if he or she is certified or accredited, and what states they are licensed to practice medicine.

The two best websites to help you investigate doctors are docboard.org and ama-assn.org. The process is very simple.

At docboard.org

• Click on docfinder
• Type in the last and first name of physician and click search

or

• Choose by state
• Then type in last name and first name to do a name search

or

• Type in the license number search to look up the license

If you choose a state, you can then type in the last name and you will be given a list of doctors with that last name.

• Click on the full name
• Click show licensing details

The next page will give you information such as:
Licensee Name
License Type
Status
Practice County
Month/Year of Birth
City of Birth
State of Birth
Gender
Ethnicity
License Number
License Issue Date
License Expire Date
Last Medical School
Board Certified
SPECIALTY

At ama-assn.org

• Click doctor finder at the top of the page
• on the next page type in the number you see on that page
• Next agree to the terms and conditions
• You will then be taken to a form to fill out
• Type in the last name which is required
• Type in the first name
• Choose the state from a drop-down box
• Type in the city
• Type in the zip code
• Click quick search
• The next page will let you know if the doctor is a member of the American Medical Association

With this information, you will be able to make an educated decision as to whether you wish to visit this doctor or start a new search.