doing research about your doctor?

matt heimer said:

Hi, group users.

I'm a writer for a national consumer finance magazine, and
I'm working on an article about the things that consumers
can (and can't) learn about the safety records of doctors
and hospitals.

My question: Has anyone reading here ever tried to do a
background check on a doctor before you saw her/him, or on
a hospital before you had a procedure there?

.............

Quoted message said:

Thanks, Matt Heimer

".... a background check.."? - I thought that was what your
license to practice medicine was.

Squiggles

Squiggles <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

".... a background check.."? - I thought that was what
your license to practice medicine was.

Squiggles

Squiggles makes a good point. But unfortunately, doctors can
get a fair amount of black marks against them (malpractice
judgments, disciplinary actions, serious complaints from
patients) and still keep their licenses.

Looking forward to comments from anybody who's taken the
initiative on background checks.

Thanks, Matt

matt heimer said:

Squiggles <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

".... a background check.."? - I thought that was what
your license to practice medicine was.

Squiggles

Squiggles makes a good point. But unfortunately, doctors
can get a fair amount of black marks against them
(malpractice judgments, disciplinary actions, serious
complaints from patients) and still keep their licenses.

Looking forward to comments from anybody who's taken the
initiative on background checks.

Thanks, Matt

I still think that's a disgrace - it's spying - one must
have good cause at least, and if so get a laywer not a
private detective - i wouldn't do it.

Squiggles
--
Insurance companies are the sole gatekeepers to THE TRUTH.

Squiggles said:

matt heimer said:

Squiggles <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

".... a background check.."? - I thought that was what
your license to practice medicine was.

Squiggles

Squiggles makes a good point. But unfortunately, doctors
can get a fair amount of black marks against them
(malpractice judgments, disciplinary actions, serious
complaints from patients) and still keep their licenses.

Looking forward to comments from anybody who's taken the
initiative on background checks.

Thanks, Matt

I still think that's a disgrace - it's spying - one must
have good cause at least, and if so get a laywer not a
private detective - i wouldn't do it.

Squiggles

That would depend on the nature of the "background
check", wouldn't it? I think checking with the state
medical board or records of civil actions is totally
above board. I was amazed when our daughter was born
that pediatricians were willing to sit down for an
interview before we selected them. I think this is a
very good mechanism for getting a feel for what kind
of practitioner you have. Short of that, looking
into specific qualifications, sanctions, history,
hospital affiliations should all be available. We're
not talking about following people around.

Steve

Hi Matt,

I used to check in the magazine US News -- they used to rank
various hospitals across various specialties. This was a few
years ago though. I suppose a Google Search of "Best
Hospitals" might turn up something!

-- Jeff

"matt heimer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, group users.

I'm a writer for a national consumer finance magazine, and
I'm working on an article about the things that consumers
can (and can't) learn about the safety records of doctors
and hospitals.

My question: Has anyone reading here ever tried to do a
background check on a doctor before you saw her/him, or on
a hospital before you had a procedure there? If so, what
did you do? Did you learn anything useful?

People who'd rather not post answers publicly are welcome
to e-mail me at [email hidden]. I also welcome any
questions.

Thanks, Matt Heimer

Hi group users. Thanks for your responses.

Since I first posted here a couple weeks ago, a few sources
from elsewhere have directed me to websites like DocInfo.org
and HealthGrades.com, which offer some background data about
doctors and hospitals.

Have any of you used those sites, and if so, would you be
willing to describe your experience? Feel free to post, or
to e-mail me off-board at [email hidden].

Thanks, Matt Heimer (Journalist writing a magazine article)

(matt heimer) said:

Since I first posted here a couple weeks ago, a few
sources from elsewhere have directed me to websites like
DocInfo.org and HealthGrades.com, which offer some
background data about doctors and hospitals.

Have any of you used those sites, and if so, would you be
willing to describe your experience?

They're quite spotty and incomplete, IMHO.