A friend’s baby boy had to have surgery last week.
She emailed me the name of the Doctor. Why? Not because I am a walking database of physician information, but she wanted to know more about the doctor then the hospital website provided.
I started by looking him up on the Virginia Board of Medicine website – which you can access here: http://www.vahealthprovider.com/search.asp
Then, I typed in his last name, clicked on the doctor in our fair city that matched and learned all sorts of good information.
What information?
Where he went to school.
Whether he is board certified.
Whether he has reported any lawsuits from the last ten years etc.
Then, when I got all this great info – I emailed my friend with the stats.
Now, someone with amazing credentials can make a mistake, I realize. But do you want to go to someone who has been successfully sued 3 times in the last 10 years? Maybe you have no choice — but you can at least do your homework up front to learn more.