Can you choose a doctor by doing research online? Or can you learn more about your own doctor by checking her out on the web?
The answer is: Yes and no.
In fact, there is plenty of information about individual physicians online, but not all that information is helpful, or even accurate. Depending on the source of the information, the information you find may help you find exactly the right doctor, or it may give you a very wrong impression.
The problem is that choosing the right doctor requires a combination of facts and personal preference. You will be able to find most of the facts you need online. You can find other's personal preferences, but you may need to actually see the doctor to develop your own.
Here are some ways to use the Internet to gather credible information about your doctor, or to do a search for a doctor who can help you.
Potential Pitfalls of Finding Information About Doctors Online
The main problem with doctor Internet information is that it may not be accurate. Inaccuracy may be a result of errors, subjectivity or the fact that it is not current.
Real errors exist in many places. Some are less important than others. For example, if a doctor graduated from medical school in 1982, but the information you find says he graduated in 1984, it won't make a real difference to you.
But if a site claims the doctor has never been convicted of malpractice, and, in fact, he has lost several malpractice suits in the past six months -- then the errors could have a direct impact on your care. In this case, the information is not current, one of the real pitfalls of relying on web information to choose your doctor.
Subjectivity is a result of making claims that are more based on personal opinion or marketing, than on fact. Example: a physician's personal website will be a good source for information such as his location, office hours, and even a determination of what specialty that doctor has chosen. It may even state whether he is accepting new patients. But it will not be completely objective information, since it will be more about enticing you to choose that doctor. In this case, follow the money.
Sites developed by private companies, including health insurance companies, to rate or rank doctors must be vetted for their sources of income. If the doctor pays for her own listing? Then you can't trust that it's objective.
Most of the facts you find online, as they relate to the objective information you need, will be close enough for your purposes. If you find you need more concise answers, you can always call that doctor's office to ask for clarification.
The only real important information to pursue further, when you are choosing a doctor who will perform any type of invasive or difficult treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or any other for a chronic disease, is malpractice information. Vetting a doctor for possible malpractice requires its own approach.
What Kinds of Doctor Sites Are Available?
Physician Directories
These sites simply list the basic facts about a doctor, and are available in many places. You can find information about the doctor's education, experience, practice locations and sometimes, some of the basics of disciplinary actions. You will not find enough details about malpractice here, nor will you find other patients' opinions. You may want to check out reviews of physician directories.
Board Certification Sites
These sites, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Osteopathic Association, will tell you more about the education and training a doctor has -- important information for learning about her capabilities to help you.
Physician Ratings and Rankings Sites
These sites have developed algorithms to describe a doctor's competency, and may include patients' opinions or other forms of mathematical ranking. Some can be helpful, others not so much. Learn more about how to use physician ratings and rankings sites.
Doctors' Personal Websites
Find information about phone numbers, office hours, specialty, or locations at these sites, but remember than any other information you find is simply promotional in nature. These sites are intended to sell you on making an appointment, not to give you objective information about a doctor's capability to help you.
Government-source Licensing and Experience Sites
These sites are found on state health or insurance department websites, and provide you with licensing information. You'll know if a doctor is practicing within his licensed area, and you may find some additional information about disciplinary actions. The ability of each state to keep this information updated varies. Further, some states require the doctors themselves to keep it updated, rendering the information practically useless in those states for anything more than the basics of medical school graduation dates or whether or not a doctor is board certified.
Personal Health Advice Sites (diagnostic or treatment advice)
Found a site where you can talk to a "live doctor?" These sites are at least worthless, and at the most, dangerous. Learn more about why you need to avoid them.
Doctors' Blogs or White Papers
You can actually learn quite a bit about whether a doctor is invested in his or her patients, or has specialized interests within his field, or is bored or angry or showcases any other personality traits by finding something a doctor writes by him or herself online. Some examples: chiropractor, Dr. Tim's blog, Dr. Rob's Distractible blog, or a blog by Kevin MD, an internist.
Many doctors with specialized interests publish books or academic white papers about research they are doing. You can learn more about whether your chosen doctor publishes or blogs by doing searches similar to the way you can find malpractice information.
What About Malpractice Information?
It's important to know whether a doctor has been charged with, or found guilty of malpractice -- with many caveats. That information will not be completely available on any of the sites listed above. Learn more about finding malpractice information as you choose the doctor you will work with.
