A new website has been established revealing those doctors who have been convicted of various crimes, but are still practicing. Some of the offenses include 'drive-by' shootings, patient sexual molestation, murder and so on.

The website is new and is overwhelmed with business, so don't be discouraged if you can't sign on at first, or even fifth, try.

http://www.questionabledoctors.org

WOW! I just was successful in accessing the site and the number of questionable physicians is staggering. My state, Pennsylvania, isn't included in the site yet, so I arbitrarily chose Indiana. There are over 300 problem doctors in Indiana alone.

Happy hunting!

I just wish there were a way to ADD someone's name to the list! I have one that I'd dearly love to report somehow.

You should by all means report a doctor if you are a victim of poor quality care or questionable behavior.

You can start with the AMA and, if the doctor is 'Board Certified' (meaning he/she received extra education in his/her specialty), report him/her to that board.

The physicians contained in Questionable Doctors have all been CONVICTED of the particular offense.

If you want to report a physician you should contact your state licensing board. They gather and investigate complaints about unethical behavior as well as unprofessional conduct and malpractice. They can sanction, reprimand, discipline, and fine a physican as well as temporarilly suspend, limit, or actually revoke their license to practice in the state.

NY state has a Web site devoted to professional licenses. You can check to see if any actions have been taken against a physician or against any other holder of a professional license.
I spent several hours one day reading the sorts of disciplinary actions taken against certain physicians and other health professionals, and why those actions were taken. Quite an eyeopener! The sorts of things that dentists got involved in seemed even worse. But most of these people are still engaged in practice--so it pays to check out your own health care providers if your state has a similar Web site.

Your county Medical Society is another good place to lodge a complaint against a physician. They will also investigate the matter and they do have a watchdog function.

The AMA is just a professional organization without much clout. The most they can do is drop someone from their membership roles for an ethical violation. But belonging to the AMA is not that big a deal and being dropped as a member really wouldn't affect a physician very much.

Your state licensing board is the real governing authority for the practice of medicine in your state and they have the most muscle to take action. They also have the resources to conduct a thorough inquiry into any complaint.

Just checked that site, valois--it's great! What a boon for consumers! I can't wait until they add NY to their database. I'm going to check out every doctor I know.

The wonderful thing about this site is that you can check on actions taken against a physician by more than one state or by the federal government.

It's a great resource. Thanks.