Tulsa World: Sites give information on doctors' pasts

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Sites give information on doctors' pasts
Checking histories is the first step in choosing a doctor.

By GAVIN OFF World Data Editor
Published: 11/22/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 11/23/2009 1:01 PM

Search a Tulsa World database of disciplined doctors from 2000 through 2009.

Search the state licensure board’s site for more information on doctors.

Since 2000, the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision has disciplined more than 300 doctors. Most of the time, the state places the practitioners on probation. Sometimes it revokes their licenses.

Those records are detailed on the state's Web site where patients can search a physician's disciplinary history by entering his or her name. To search the state site, visit tulsaworld.com/okmedicalboard .

The Tulsa World also set up its own searchable directory of doctors at tulsaworld.com/okmedical .

Lyle Kelsey, the medical board's executive director, said searching the state's database is the first step toward selecting a physician.

The World data do not include information about osteopathic physicians. There are more than 1,600 active D.O.s in Oklahoma, according to the American Osteopathic Association. Osteopathic doctors are governed by a separate unit, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Board. Disciplinary action against D.O.s can be found at tulsaworld.com/doboard .

Once patients have checked the databases, they should ask friends, neighbors and family members about referrals, Kelsey said.

And if they find that a doctor has been disciplined, there are some additional steps to take, Kelsey said.

Potential patients could call the medical board for more detailed information about a physician's record. The Web site, for instance, would say if a doctor has had problems with alcohol or substance abuse, but it wouldn't provide specifics about the complaint, investigation or board's final ruling.

And simply because a physician has been disciplined doesn't mean that the patient should avoid him or her.

"Any discipline is a red flag," Kelsey said. "Two or three times, sure that's more of a red flag, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's something the physician hasn't overcome."

In addition to speaking with friends and family members, Kelsey also recommended speaking to the physician about why the state took action against him or her.

"If (physicians) are not willing to talk about that or be up-front, that's probably a good indication they should see someone else," Kelsey said. "They ought to feel comfortable about telling you their recovery issues. The doctor-patient relationship is a two-way street."

Gavin Off 732-8106
gavin.off@tulsaworld.com By GAVIN OFF World Data Editor

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	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/22/2009 3:02:30 AM) This is good information to have if you are looking for a primary care doctor, specialist or surgeon.
	Report Comment whitehawk, Tulsa (11/22/2009 1:06:27 PM) USE IN OR LOSE IT.
	Report Comment confederateU, (11/23/2009 8:35:00 PM) i prefer the d.o. they seem to be a little more in tune with less is more in terms of treating illness. i hate those doctors that first thing they do is prescribe an antibiotic or some other harsh medicine. anymore, we have learned, we don't go to the doctor during a virus. the kids' immune systems have managed to fight everything off the past 20 years without seeing one. i regret EVER putting my kids on antibiotics from time to time the first few years. but we were young and ignorant and didn't know any better.

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