A forgotten bit of information or recommendation could affect the course of your treatment. You and your doctor are a team. Many patients sabotage their treatments by failing to follow the doctor's instructions. On the other hand, if a treatment regimen doesn't seem to be working or is making you feel worse, don't hesitate to call the doctor so that appropriate changes can be made. It's being replaced by a relationship in which the informed patient and doctor make decisions together.
Most doctors are competent and trustworthy.
But, as in other professions, there are some who don't measure up. The problem is that most people don't bother to find out if their doctor has had any legal or professional difficulties. Hospitals are required to check all of their doctors with the Data Bank every two years. Even though advocacy groups have pushed for access to the Data Bank, it's still not available to consumers. State Medical Board.