Florida’s Department of Health provides a valuable service in allowing public access to its physician database. There you can see all the most important criteria you need to know when choosing a doctor. Simply go to the Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance. There you can search by doctor name, profession or license number. The database provides information about whether a doctor’s license is still valid if the doctor is certified in any specialty, and whether the doctor has had any malpractice settlements or verdicts against him in an amount greater than $100,000 within the last 10 years. In addition, it provides information on a doctor’s criminal offenses, disciplinary actions taken against the doctor by a specialty board, licensing agency, HMO, nursing home or hospital in the last 10 years. It also indicates whether the doctor has resigned from or had any medical staff privileges restricted or revoked within the previous 10 years. Furthermore, you can learn about the doctor’s educational background and medical credentials. Not all states provide such a robust database to its public. Be sure to take advantage of it when looking for your next doctor.
