A New York state-run physician profile database that's been instrumental for patients who want to research doctors could shut down as a potential victim to the state budget ax.
At NYDoctorProfile.com, consumers can learn about a doctor's education, training, certifications and more. It also contains malpractice information and tells a consumer whether the physician has three or more malpractice settlements over 10 years.
The state pays $1.2 million a year to run the now 15-year-old site, which could close as a cost-saving measure.
But Ilene Corina, who lobbied for the site more than a decade ago after her 3-year-old son bled to death following a routine tonsillectomy, said it's crucial for people like her.
"I can't believe they want to get rid of the site. People use the site to get information about their doctors before they treat them," she said.
The Department of Health says there are now other sites to find that information, like the state Office of Professional Medical Conduct, which also run by the Health Department. The non-profit American Board of Medical Specialties is free, but requires registration. And then there are free sites like Healthgrades and WebMD, but those are run by private companies.
Suzanne Mattei of the New York for Patient and Family Empowerment, a non-profit patient advocate group that has started a petition to save the site, says NYDoctorProfile.com is the most complete site and the best regulated.
Local
"The Department of Health gathers the information, physicians are required by law to be forthcoming about this information. There is no law requiring them to tell some private website anything," she said.
According to the state health department, most of the information included in the Physician Profile is available through other free public sources, including:
- OPMC Physician Board Action (medical malpractice information is available here)
- American Board of Medical Specialties
- Federation of State Medical Boards
- HealthGrades
- WebMD
DOH would also add medical malpractice information to the Office of Professional Medical Conduct website, which provides details on disciplinary actions taken against physicians.
