Using the Internet to Investigate Doctors and Nursing Homes

Many people wonder about the quality of care that they or their loved ones receive from various doctors and/or nursing homes. With the advent of the Internet, finding this information is easier than ever. For example, if you want to investigate a nursing home, you can go to www.medicare.gov and find information regarding government ratings, quality of care, and whether or not that particular nursing home has been cited for violations, including the reason for such citations. This website, and others like it, gives consumers the tools with which to make more informed healthcare decisions. In addition to having the ability to investigate a nursing home before placement, if your loved one is currently in a nursing home that has been cited for violations, you can get the information necessary to protect your loved one from potential neglect and/or abuse. Another informative website is www.questionabledoctors.org. While this website offers detailed reports on any particular doctor for a fee, it is absolutely free to browse the list for your doctor’s name and his or her place of residence. If you have concerns about whether your doctor has been sued for malpractice before, visit this website. According to Public Citizen, www.citizen.org , five percent of doctors are responsible for half of all medical malpractice. With this in mind, websites like www.questionabledoctors.org, www.citizen.org, and www.medicare.gov can greatly assist you in making informed decisions about your healthcare. If you do not have access to the Internet at your house, you can go to your local library and set up an account with them at no cost.