When it comes to selecting healthcare professionals for specialized treatment, there are many different methods of research you can use. Most people turn to their primary care physicians for early advice. This is a sound decision, because your PCP is most likely familiar with the reputations of the specialists within the immediate geographic area, and will have almost certainly worked with the physician he or she recommends at some point in the past. That’s only a start, though, and you shouldn’t necessarily go to a doctor simply because your PCP recommended that.

Check With Friends, Family Members, Social Media

One of the most popular and practical uses for social media is “crowd sourcing” information such as what healthcare professionals are the best. Friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers are all valuable resources when it comes to finding a reputable, competent specialist. The caveat, of course, is that no matter how highly recommended a particular physician might be by a close friend or family member, the experience he or she had with that doctor was shaped by the unique circumstance. Just because they had a favorable experience with a doctor, it doesn’t mean the same will necessarily be true for you.

The American Medical Association

The American Medical Association exists to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. To those ends, the AMA collects, maintains and disseminates data on primary care physicians and physician specialists. The AMA provides on its website a “DoctorFinder,” as well as several data bases that can tell a patient valuable information about local doctors as they try to determine who would best serve their medical needs.

Multi-Specialty Physician Board Certification Bodies

Another great resource for checking into the credentials of a doctor you might choose to treat you are the three major multi-specialty physician board certification bodies in the United States: the American Board of Physician Specialties, the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Osteopathic Association. All three maintain detailed online data bases that provide information about their members, all of whom must meet strenuous criteria to become board certified in their chosen medical specialties. It’s not usually difficult to find out whether a physician claims board certification through a particular certifying body; most doctors display the symbols associated with their particular board in their offices. You will still want to check with the organization to make sure that the physician has kept his or her certification up to date and remains in good standing.

Government Data Bases

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains several data bases regarding health care in this country, and one of those data bases is the National Practitioner Data Bank. While it is not always simple for consumers to find information using this data base, it can be worth it to find out information such as a potential adverse action against a particular physician. In addition, information can be found at the medical service offices of each individual state, where physicians must apply for their medical licenses.

Other Medical Websites

Another place to look on the Internet for information about a particular physician specialist is the website, HealthGrades.com. This popular and useful site helps match patients with local physician specialists who have received positive reviews from past patients and whose credentials are exemplary. HealthGrades also is a respected source for information about the quality of hospitals and other medical centers. HealthGrades is known for its annual rankings of the 50 best hospitals in the country. You can also Google the name of the physician to see if any negative reviews have been posted on sites such as Ripoff Report and Yelp.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland/Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health professionals.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to selecting health professionals. http://www.lsiphysicianrelations.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland/Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health professionals.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Healthcare professionals