| The doctor-patient relationship is largely one of | | | | doctor credentials only and only by one state at a |
| faith. As patients, we by-and-large accept the | | | | time. Every state has a website that contains |
| recommendations of our doctors whilst having | | | | searchable databases but the amount of |
| absolutely no knowledge of the science behind the | | | | information issued by the website will vary |
| medicines they're prescribing or the training behind | | | | considerably from state to state. As far as |
| the surgical procedures that they might be about | | | | disciplinary action is concerned, some websites will |
| to perform. Nonetheless, our health, or indeed our | | | | provide brief summaries whilst others will provide |
| life is our greatest asset so it is sometimes | | | | in depth documentation. There are some that |
| prudent to do a little background checking of a | | | | briefly mention whether or not a disciplinary action |
| doctor before we entrust him or her with such an | | | | has been taken against a particular doctor. |
| asset. This article will look at how we can go | | | | Some state boards will issue information about |
| about obtaining information in respect to medical | | | | criminal convictions and malpractice suits but |
| doctor's credentials. | | | | obtaining such information from the appropriate |
| If you're after information regarding your doctor's | | | | courthouses is more likely to yield precise data. It |
| credentials you will be able to obtain the | | | | is essential to make sure that the doctor you are |
| information from the doctor's office, a local | | | | getting your advice from is adequately trained and |
| hospital, a local medical society, or even the HMO | | | | well qualified. Here are a few ways to check a |
| of which the doctor is a member. There are a | | | | doctor credential: |
| few State licensing boards that give out | | | | * Find out if your doctor has been trained in an |
| information pertaining to any disciplinary actions | | | | established institute or center or hospital. |
| taken but obtaining this information might be a | | | | * Check if he/she is affiliated with any facility. |
| laborious process. However, information regarding | | | | * Check if he is certified by the American Board |
| a doctors credential is easily accessible through | | | | of Medical Specialties. |
| many online facilities now. | | | | * Find out the number of years of experience he |
| The American Medical Association's (AMA) | | | | or she has. |
| Physician Select provides information on the | | | | There are two databanks in the U.S. Office of the |
| certification status and licensing of more than | | | | Inspector General. They work together to collect |
| 700,000 doctors that are currently practicing in | | | | information regarding various doctors and other |
| the United States. However, the information given | | | | healthcare providers. However, this information |
| does not include any details in respect to | | | | cannot be accessed by the general public and is |
| disciplinary action that may have been taken | | | | only available to doctor credentialing organizations |
| against the doctor. You can search for medical | | | | and the government. |