When faced with a possible medical malpractice case, one of the first steps we take is to investigate the doctors involved. Clients and other lawyers frequently ask us for help in their own research checking on a doctor. These days, this is something that anyone with an Internet connection can do.
1
Check the Physician Profile with the Department of Public Health
Doctors who are licensed in Connecticut are required to complete the Physician Profile, which is published here. (All links are posted under "Additional Resources" below) In Connecticut, the Physician Profile contains information about the doctor’s education, post-graduate training and residency, disciplinary actions and malpractice payment history. Payment amounts are placed into three statistical categories: below average, average and above average. Make note of the doctor's license number so you can go on to the next step.
2
If the Doctor doesn't have a Physician Profile, Verify the License
If the doctor is new to Connecticut, or his or her license has lapsed, there may not be a Physician Profile online. In that case, look up the license number on the Connecticut Licensing Info Center. Here, you can verify the license of any health care provider in the state. Make note of the license number and go on to the next step.
3
Check for Disciplinary Actions with the Connecticut Medical Examining Board
The Connecticut Medical Examining Board maintains a website, along with all of the other professional examining boards in the state. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the link to the Monthly Disciplinary Actions Against Licensees, and the Regulatory Action Reports. This is a listing of disciplinary actions taken against all licensed professionals and organizations.
4
Check for Prior Disciplinary Actions and Consent Orders
The Department of Public Health has converted final disciplinary orders into an easily accessible, on-line format. If there has been disciplinary action taken against the doctor you are investigating, you can use the drop down box to select his or her license number and view the consent orders. This documentation will explain the allegations against the doctor, what steps were taken by the Department of Public Health, and what terms were agreed to by the doctor to resolve the matter.
5
Check for Licensure in Other States
Many doctors have licenses in more than one state. We use the Administrators in Medicine (AIM) Doc Finder as a starting point to research multi-state licensure. Here, you can do a combined search for all states in the database, plus you can link directly to any state's Board of Medicine for further research.
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