Researching Doctors: Doctor Background Check

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/01/29 - Updated: 2024/02/11
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Rehabilitation and Hospitals - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Information on researching a doctors credentials with a doctors background check to find quality health care and experienced trained physicians or surgeons. Just by looking at a doctor's credentials will not guarantee you will receive high quality health care. However, you can use several important criteria to find an experienced well-trained physicians or surgeon.

Introduction

We know all physicians and surgeons do not have the same training and experience, especially in today's advanced medical health-care environment. No doctor will tell you outright whether he/she has been disciplined or had one or more malpractice judgments issued against him/her.

Focus

Why Check a Doctor's Background?

Researching a doctors credentials with a doctors background check helps find quality health care and experienced well trained physicians or surgeons.

Free Doctor Information

Is there such a thing as free doctor information? Absolutely; you can find free doctor information by contacting your state medical board or by browsing online. The question is, how much information can you get for free and how accurate will it be

Most state medical boards do not charge; however, most (if not all) offer limited background information on doctors. Very few establishments (less than a handful) specialize in providing information relating to doctor's credentials. That's why it's important to find out how credible the company is, and what type of doctor-related information they offer.

Doctors' Credentials

Just by looking at a doctor's credentials will not guarantee you will receive high quality health care. However, you can use several important criteria to find an experienced well-trained physicians or surgeon.

Tips:

How do I Research a Doctor?

The Internet is loaded with many sites which claim to have information about doctors' credentials information. And yes, most of them do; however, you want to make sure you get more than just a doctor's license number and contact information. For more comprehensive information, consider contacting the following sources.

How to Find a Doctor

This is usually a simple task. Open up your phone book (Yellow Pages) and look for one in your area; or ask your primary care physician for a referral to see a specialist. Better still, go online - there is an abundance of free directories listing doctors.

There's no magical route to finding the right doctor. If you have a primary care physician just call him or her and make an appointment. If you don't have a primary care physician, try the route suggested above. Or, if you feel you need specialist care, you can save time and money by going directly to a specialist with your particular medical problem. In the old days most patients would ask their primary care physician for a referral. While this is still done, more and more patients are going directly to a specialist for their medical needs.

What Makes a Good Doctor

Bottom Line

We all know there are no guarantees when it comes to receiving the highest quality health care. We all know there are shady doctors, and good doctors; and then there are those who are renowned for their expertise, who rank amongst the highest in their field. It's up to you to do your homework.

Author Credentials: Ian is an Australian-born writer, editor, and advocate who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.

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Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2010, January 29 - Last revised: 2024, February 11). Researching Doctors: Doctor Background Check. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved May 17, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/rehabilitation/doctor-check.php

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