LibGuides: Consumer Health: When You are a Patient

Choosing and Consulting with Healthcare Providers

Finding a Health Care Provider

Choosing a Doctor Or Healthcare Service
US National Institutes of Health
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Links on specific issues, directories, and more
DocFinder
Federation of State Medical Boards
Directory of the 70 State Medical and Osteopathic Boards
American Board of Medical Specialties
Works in collaboration with 24 specialty Member Boards to maintain the standards for physician certification; Only those physicians who are board certified
American Medical Association Doctor Finder
Basic professional information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States
Expanded Information on AMA physicians.

Consulting with a Health Care Provider

Patients and Consumers
US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Info grouped in 3 headings - Diagnosis & Treatment, Patient Involvement, Prevention and Health
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"Questions are the answer" (under Patient Involvemen) includes tips for good communication, and an interactive question builder
Talking With Your Doctor
US National Institutes of Health
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Links to overviews, videos, alternative therapies, and more
When You Visit Your Doctor
Harvard Health Publications
Questions to ask on a variety of topics
Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults
National Institute on Aging
Talking to Your Doctor
National Institutes of Health

Laboratory Tests and Health Screenings

Lab Tests Online
Noncommercial patient education on blood, urine, and other lab tests to help health care consumers better manage their care. |
Gives summaries of what a specific test is used for and what test results mean. Also answers common questions.
Includes Understanding Your Tests
Product of professional organizations which represent the laboratory community.
Health Screening
Also called Screening Tests
Overviews, specific conditions and more

Choosing and Evaluating Healthcare Organizations

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Hospital Compare
Information about the quality of care at over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals- Opens in a new window across the country.
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Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)- Opens in a new window, in collaboration with organizations representing consumers, hospitals, doctors, employers, accrediting organizations, and other federal agencies.
American Hospital Directory
Data and statistics about more than 6,000 hospitals nationwide.
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Evidence based information on key characteristics, services provided, utilization statistics, accreditation status, financial information, and more
The Joint Commission Quality Check
List Joint Commission accreditation status. The commission accredits and certifies over 21,000 organizations throughout the United States
Leap Frog - Compare Hospitals
Nearly half of all U.S. hospitals voluntarily provide data to their annual survey.
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The Leapfrog Group is a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for health care purchasers, using their collective influence to foster positive change in U.S. health care. Leapfrog is the nation’s premier advocate of hospital transparency—collecting, analyzing and disseminating hospital data to inform value-based purchasing.
National Association for Home Care: How to Choose a Home Care Provider and Home Care and Hospice Agency Locator
More than 33,000 home care and hospice agencies.
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From a nonprofit organization that represents the nation's 33,000 home care and hospice organizations
Nursing Home Compare
Detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country.
Hospice Compare
Find hospices that serve your area and compare them based on the quality of care they provide.
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Medicare.gov

Electronic Health Records

Personal Health Records
Links to basic information, related issues, statistics/research, and articles
From MedlinePlus
Electronic Medical Records
Includes reports, blog items, press releases, and brief items

Getting a copy of your medical records

Complaint Information - Medical Record Access Denied
If you are denied access, you can file a complaint with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights
Federal Medical Facility Right to Obtain Medical Records
If you receive care in a federal medical facility, you have a right to obtain your records under federal privacy act of 1974

Disclaimer

All health questions questions and concerns are best answered by a health care provider.

All links in this guide are presented as professional opinions of their respective authors and may
or may not agree with the advice and professional interpretations of any health care provider that
is consulted.