FAQ & Technical Help

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Click Here for General Questions about the Questionable Doctors Project

1. What Internet browser should I use to view this Web site?

2. What is a "cookie" and why must my Internet browser accept them to use this Web site?

3. How do I enable my Internet browser to accept cookies?

4. Why am I asked to log in to your Web site after I have already logged in?

5. When I print out the report of a Questionable Doctor, the format doesn’t fit on my 8 ½" by 11" paper – what I can do to re-format the print out?

6. Why was my credit card charged twice when purchasing reports?

1. What Internet browser should I use to view this Web site?

This Web site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.0 and above or Netscape Version 6.0 and above.

2. What is a "session-cookie" and why must my Internet browser accept them to use this Web site?

A "cookie" is a small piece of information from a Web site stored on your computer. We temporarily store a session-cookie on your computer so you may navigate password-protected portions of our Web site without having to repeatedly log in. This session-cookie is deleted after 30 minutes. We do not use session-cookies to capture any of your personal information.

3. How do I enable my Internet browser to accept session-cookies?

To enable your Internet browser to accept cookies, you have to choose a security or privacy level for your browser that allows cookies to be stored on your computer. To adjust your computer’s ability to accept cookies, follow these instructions for the appropriate Internet browser:

Internet Explorer 6.0:
1. Choose Tools, then
2. Internet Options.
3. Click the Privacy tab,
4. Adjust the Privacy setting.

Internet Explorer 5.0:
1. Choose Tools, then
2. Internet Options.
3. Click the Security tab,
4. Click Internet, then Custom Level.
5. Scroll down to Cookies and choose a setting.

Netscape Communicator 6.0 and above:
1. Choose Edit, then
2. Preferences, then
3. Click on Privacy and Security.
4. Click on Cookies and choose a setting.

4. Why am I asked to log in to your Web site after I have already logged in?

Our system deletes its session cookie 30 minutes after it was placed on your computer. You are asked to login to the system again to re-create the session cookie to facilitate continued browsing of Questionable Doctors.

5. When I print out the report of a Questionable Doctor, the format doesn’t fit on my 8 ½" by 11" paper – what I can do to re-format the print out?

By changing the orientation of the Web page from Portrait to Landscape, you’ll be able to fit more content horizontally.

Internet Explorer 5.0 and above:
1. Choose File, then
2. Page Setup.
3. In the Orientation section, change from Portrait to Landscape.

Netscape Communicator 6.0 and above:
1. Choose File, then
2. Print…
3. Click Properties
4. In the Orientation section, change from Portrait to Landscape.

6. Why was my credit card charged twice when purchasing reports?

If you clicked on the "Submit" button more than once, your credit card may have been charged for more than 10 reports. To resolve this issue, please send an email to qdtechsupport@citizen.org. Please include the confirmation numbers that were sent to the email address you provided.

Questions about the Questionable Doctors Project

1.  Who is named in the Questionable Doctors databank? 

Questionable Doctors Online details disciplinary actions taken against allopathic doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathy (DOs) from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration. The extent of information each medical board provides regarding disciplinary actions varies by state; some boards enclose a detailed synopsis of the case history and findings, whereas others simply supply the physician's name and resulting action within a quarterly newsletter. A description of the information we received from each state is included in State Facts.

2.  Why does Public Citizen have access to this information when it is so difficult to obtain?

In the fall of 1989, using a list published by the Federation of State Medical Boards, Public Citizen contacted all the medical boards from the 50 states and the District of Columbia and requested the name of every physician the boards had disciplined since the beginning of 1985. We also asked at that time to be placed on the boards' mailing lists to receive notification of future disciplinary orders. Since that initial request, Public Citizen has periodically contacted these boards to obtain additional information on disciplinary actions. Most recently, we sent an email or letter to each state in February 2002 requesting updated information for Questionable Doctors Online.

3.  Can a consumer recommend a name to add?

No. The data comes directly from the state or federal licensing agent.

4.  Does the book include dentists or chiropractors? 

No. Because we did not consistently receive information on such health care providers from all medical boards, we decided to eliminate these entries on such professionals from our databank. 

5.  If the information is public knowledge, why is Public Citizen charging for this product?

We are a non-profit membership organization relying on the sale of our publications and this internet project to enable us to continue our work. We provide most of our publications free on our web site. For those major books or projects that we do sell, we are committed to providing the information at a reasonable cost. 

6.  My doctor is listed in the Questionable Doctors databank. What do I do now?

Check which state(s) or federal agency has disciplined him or her. 

• Request a copy of the doctor's disciplinary file from the state or federal agency. State agency addresses are listed in State Facts . You can also contact Federal government agencies.
• Read the file before making a decision about whether to switch doctors. The information contained in our databank may not include a full explanation of the disciplinary action because states may not have sent us these details. Some of the actions (a very small fraction) involve offenses that were administrative in nature and do not necessarily reflect on the physician's ability to practice. 
• Ask your doctor why he or she was disciplined. If your doctor can convince you that any problem that resulted in the disciplinary action has been resolved or is irrelevant to your future care, fine. Otherwise, you should consider switching healthcare providers. 

7.  How do I pick a good doctor? 

Call the medical board in the state where the doctor practices or used to practice. The board can frequently provide information on the physician's educational and specialty background, and whether the doctor has been disciplined or formally charged with misconduct. (Contact information for each state board is listed in State Facts

• Check to see if your local consumer group has published a guide to local doctors. Public Citizen does not maintain a list of recommended doctors.
• Look your doctor up in the American Medical Association's American Medical Directory or the Directory of Medical Specialists, which can be found in all medical libraries and many large public libraries. These directories list the physician's educational background and whether or not he or she is board-certified in a specialty. You can also access the AMA Physician Select service online.
• Check internet sites such as the American Board of Medical Specialties to verify a physician's certification standing.  You should not select a self-designated specialist who has not been trained in the specialty field. 
• Ask the doctor for the names of hospitals where he or she has admitting privileges. Your local university teaching hospital will probably be the most selective about the physicians it admits to its staff. Also, should you need to be hospitalized, you will want a doctor who can admit you to the best hospital. 

8.  How can I file a complaint about a doctor? 

Some examples of reportable actions are: 

- if a doctor over-charged you or charged for treatment that was not delivered; 
- if a physician failed to order or properly administer appropriate tests or treatment; 
- if you suspect that a doctor may be abusing drugs or alcohol; 
- if a physician inappropriately touched you in a sexual manner or conducted a sexual relationship with you while you were a patient; 
- if you suspect a physician is unable to function mentally or physically. 

• Find out what degree your doctor has, whether a medical doctor (M.D.), osteopathic physician (D.O.), chiropractor (D.C.), podiatrist (D.P.M.), or dentist (D.D.S. or D.M.D.). Different state agencies often regulate these different professionals. 
• File your complaint with the state medical disciplinary agency. This agency is the only one that can remove dangerous or incompetent doctors from practice, impose limitations on a physician's license to practice, and truly protect other patients from being harmed. Your complaint could lead to the suspension or revocation of a doctor's license directly, or it could aid the medical board in detecting a pattern of poor medical care.
• File the complaint in the state where the doctor is licensed--i.e.., where his or her office is located. At Questionable Doctors Online, go to State Facts . Find the "Address" heading and look for the address of the agency that regulates that type of doctor. 
• If your care was within a hospital, you should also file a complaint with the hospital's peer review committee, which has the power to revoke or limit a doctor's privileges to practice there. 
• You may also want to file a complaint with Medicare (See Addresses).
• Call the agency to inquire about how to file a formal complaint. Some agencies have toll-free hotlines for complaints; others require complaints to be filed on specific forms. 
• Ask whether your complaint will remain confidential. State laws vary. If the agency intends to reveal your name to your doctor, you may want to consider switching to another physician before pursuing any action. 
• File a written complaint containing as much information as possible. Make sure to include the doctor's full name, correctly spelled, office address, and the exact date when the conduct you are complaining of occurred. The state may also ask you to release your medical records for review. 
• Ask the agency to notify you of the outcome of your complaint. 

9. How can I subscribe to Questionable Doctors Online? 

You can subscribe by going to https://www.questionabledoctors.org/login.cfm and following the easy instructions.

10.  How can I order the California/Hawaii book?

You can purchase the California & Hawaii regional edition in book form online via our secure server at https://www.citizen.org/hrg/qdsite/orderform2002.cfm  

You can call toll free (877) 747-1616 to purchase with a major credit card, or: 

You can print out a form and send it:

- by fax (with a major credit card) to (202) 588-7798 
- by mail (with a major credit card or check) to 1600 20th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20009-1001 

11.  When will new states be added online?