Quick Tips to Finding the Right Doctor

A fifty-four year old wife and mother of two goes in for a routine hip replacement and dies on the operating table.  Her doctor carelessly cut an artery and refused to call for assistance to repair it until it was too late to save her.  These are the disturbing facts of a case we recently settled on behalf of the family for a confidential amount.  Even more disturbing is that, unbeknownst to the victim, the surgeon had been successfully sued for medical malpractice eight (8) previous times in two different states.

Although most consumers today will not even buy a toaster without first reading dozens of online reviews, we often choose our doctor with little or no information about the doctor’s skills and abilities.  Why is this?  Don’t patients have the right to know about prior disciplinary actions, suspension, and lawsuits before undergoing a medical procedure? Unfortunately, finding authoritative information about doctors can be extremely difficult.  Here are a few tips patients can use to protect and educate themselves about their doctor.

Check the Doctor’s Licensure Information with the State

Each state maintains basic information about doctors and makes at least some of the information available to the public, such as whether the doctor is board certified or has ever been suspended.  Some states even provide information on the number of settlements or verdicts against the doctor, as well as a dollar range.  In Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Department of Health Website. Most states have similar websites.

Check Online Review Websites

Finding helpful online reviews for doctors can prove difficult.  Disciplinary actions and lawsuit settlements involving doctors are almost always kept confidential, and people are often reluctant to post information about their private medical conditions. Still others are afraid to post negative reviews for fear of being sued by their doctor or blackballed by other providers.  Nonetheless, there are a few websites that you may find helpful:

RateMDs.com – The purpose of this site is to be a resource for people who want to find a good doctor, dentist, chiropractor, or other medical provider.

AngiesList.com – This site provides reviews for all types of professionals, not just doctors.  The reviews cannot be anonymous and each review is checked for authenticity before publication.

Vitals.com – Provides search tools and comprehensive information on doctors to help consumers choose the right doctor.

HealthGrades.com – This website seeks to be an online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.  It provides detailed information about most doctors, including patient reviews.

Ask Another Doctor

Perhaps the best way to find a competent and skilled doctor is to consult with a doctor that you already trust and respect.  Doctors practicing in one specialty will almost always know the best doctors in other specialties.  Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for a recommendation.