There isn’t a single location where you can check a doctor’s entire work history. However, with a little time and these tools, you can get a better picture to make informed choices about your medical care.
You can compare medical training, clinical specialties, and more for doctors who accept Medicare using Medicare’s Physician Compare Tool.
You can also find information about training, specialties, and board certification for many doctors licensed in the U.S. with the American Medical Association Doctor Finder.
State medical boards are a good source of information about doctors. In some states, information is available from the Administrators in Medicine, a group of state medical board directors.
The American Board of Medical Specialties can tell you if a doctor is board certified. While board certification is a good measure of a doctor’s knowledge, it is possible to receive quality care from doctors who are not board certified.
In addition, feel free to ask the doctor directly about their work history, for example, the number of times they have successfully performed a procedure.
Safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs this Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. as a part of the Fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Improperly discarded drugs can end up in our water supply or in the hands of children. The previous three Take-Back days have removed 498.5 tons of medication from circulation in the past 13 months.
When young children are sick and cranky, it can be tough to get them to take their medicine. Watch this video for tips from an FDA pediatrician on giving the dose without the battle.
If you need help identifying a pill, try Pillbox from the National Library of Medicine.
According to Pillbox, a small blue pill with the number “6584” printed on it could be Diazepam. You should consult a medical professional to confirm and for any additional advice.
Lock it Up: Medicine Safety in Your Home
Video Description:
Every year thousands of children are hospitalized and some die after taking medicine not meant for them. Teens share stolen prescription drugs at “pharm parties” and toddlers are tempted by colorful pills that look like candy. In this Consumer Update video, FDA pharmacist Connie Jung explains how you can prevent harm by locking your medicine up. Learn more about medicine safety in your home.
Video Transcript:
CONNIE JUNG: “Every year thousands of children are hospitalized - and some die - after taking medicine not meant for them.
Hi, I’m Connie Jung, a pharmacist at FDA.
Accidents happen: Colorful pills and sweet-smelling liquids can seem like candy to children, and improperly discarded medicated patches have sickened - and even killed - curious toddlers.
But sometimes it’s abuse, especially when it comes to teens.
Have you ever heard of pharm parties?
That’s “pharm” as in “pharmaceuticals” and it’s just one way kids share pills they’ve taken from others - often right out of the medicine cabinet.
You can help protect kids from drug-related harm by locking your medicines up.
You may think a toddler can’t reach your medicine; or that your teen would never pop pills. But you could be wrong.
