실력있는 의사찾는법: 학력, 경력, 라이센스체크, 환자로부터 불평사례 알아보는 요령 > 헬퍼도우미

Start your research with a conversation with your doctor. It sounds simple, but five or 10 minutes talking with your doctor about his training, cities or states where he has practiced medicine, the kinds of patients he usually sees, and the types of practice settings he has experienced will go a long way toward helping you understand your doctor's history. Approach the conversation the same way you would getting to know a new neighbor or your child's schoolteacher--not as a grueling inquisition, but as a conversation to learn more about his experiences.

Ask your doctor or her office staff if there are other patients that you might talk to as references. Keep in mind that doctors and office staff cannot give out other patients' names without their permission first, so it may take a few days before they can provide a list of patients who have agreed to share their experiences with the doctor. This will help you piece together the doctor's history with current patients in the community.

Research basic facts by checking at the hospital where your doctor has privileges, searching the American Board of Medical Specialties database, and researching your doctor through the state medical boards of the states where he has practiced. Call the hospital's credentialing department and ask for education, training and licensure information for your new doctor. Many hospitals also include this information on their websites. The American Board of Medical Specialties offers a free service on its website to research a physician's board certification and training information (free registration required). The ABMS tool is very simple to use. Enter in the doctor's name, and the tool will return information on education, training and board certification for that physician. All state medical boards offer search functions on their websites, allowing you to check a physician's licensure information, education and training, and possible disciplinary actions. Most state medical boards offer tools that allow you to enter the doctor's name and a complete file appears on the screen, with clickable tabs for education, residency and fellowship, licensure and disciplinary action.