The Internet is a great source of information, but information available on a personal web site should not be accepted as fact without verification. Throughout this chapter there are contacts and methods of verification to enable you to confirm any and all facts and information you obtain regarding a physician. You are strongly encouraged to confirm all facts, credentials, certification, licensure, and hospital privileges prior to making your selection. These sites and organizations are an excellent source of unbiased factual information and will be discussed in further detail in the following section. The societies have strict membership requirements, usually including board certification.
Board certification is granted only after rigorous qualifications are met.
The fields of otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery have several professional societies and certifying boards that your surgeon may be a member of. These organizations can provide you with a list of qualified physicians in your area or allow you to confirm claims made by a certain physician. Other official sources of information include the Board of Medicine in your state as well as local medical societies. Your local library should have several good sources of information. These include The American Medical Directory , The Directory of Medical Specialists , and The Compendium of Certified Medical Specialists .