We do it for mechanics and restaurants...why not a doctor?

 That's not a bad idea, amore01.

 I truly hope the doctors I have seen or my family has seen are competent. But I took my son when he was just 1 yr old, to a doctor (our regular ped. Was off) My son had full blown pneumonia, but the doctor did not detect it. He just said give him lots of tlc. Sorry doc, tlc does not cure pneumonia (my son did receive proper treatment the next day) then this same doc told me my daughter did not have strep throat- when in fact she really did. His diagnosis again was to give her lots of tlc. 2 yrs ago my husband had an episode with his heart and was handed over to a fresh from med school cardiologist who did not know one side of the heart from the other. Several months later the doc referred my husband on, but my husband died in April 2007- 10 months from the original problem. I believe that if my husband had the right doctor with the right diagnosis/treatment earlier, he'd still be alive today. He was only 37 yrs old.

 Most definitely! As robbier mentioned, there is a cost to view these databases whereas just a few years ago, anyone had the ability to view physicians' records within each state for free. The medical field is a very close-knit group who apparently take an oath to stand by each other no matter what negative aspects occur within a hospital, doctor's office, etc. This isn't right. Everyone should have the right to view a physician's "record" to determine whether or not they want to use their services. If a person wants to hire a general contractor to build a house or an office, they have the ability to view their record on the Better Business Bureau and there is no charge. It's good business sense to know who you are hiring. When you schedule a visit to a doctor or hospital, you are basically hiring their services also..

 I couldn't agree more. There are sites where such information is supposedly available, but there is a charge for it, and without knowing what one be getting, I would be reluctant to pay a fee for it.

Ideally the medical profession should police itself, but many doctors are not willing to be that forthcoming about their colleagues. I'm imagine the AMA is not that anxious to share negative information with the public.

I know there is a statute that has been passed recently in New York State that deals with the information mentioned above. The information is available, on request, from physicians, but I'm not too sure how that would help someone choose a physician. There is also a database that provides information on public disciplinary actions since 1990. There should be a national database like that available to the public.

There is a web site called doctorscorecard.com. An individual can score a physician but must leave a narrative (has to be approved by the site) in order for the numerical score to be recorded.

When someone's life and health is involved, he should have access to all the information needed to make an informed decision regarding the selection of a physician or a hospital.