Most people don't check on the level of competence of their doctor. Instead they typically see someone through a referral or recommendation from a friend, colleague, or often from another doctor who is suggesting a specialist referral. Or they are frequently given a list of "accredited providers" by an insurer. Sometimes they go on the internet and do some investigations - after all most doctors now have websites or at least have some information available about them on the web, but how much? And is it the right information that really lets you judge their competence, qualifications and experience?

There are ten types of questions you should ask. No doctor should be offended by any of these questions, and they should all be able to respond easily, although you won't tend to find all the answers to most of these on many medical websites.

Talk to your doctor about these questions, or find the answers from his or her administrative staff before you make an appointment. Remember to be friendly, businesslike, and don't take "no" for an answer. You are paying for the consultation. As the patient you are the customer. It is good to think of yourself as a customer in this situation, and make sure you check out the product, the doctor and their treatment, you are thinking of buying properly. You must be satisfied with both the consultation and the consultant. These rules apply equally for any type of health professional, whether you are seeing them face to face, or electronically on the internet or by telemedicine.

Ask:

- What are your qualifications and credentials? This includes the MD qualification and Board Certification for specialist expertise

- What experience do you have in offering face-to-face? Many surgeons will, for instance, advertise their infection rates and the numbers of operations they have performed.

- Are you registered to practice in your own state or country, and do you have appropriate malpractice insurance? You can often go to the State Medical Board website and find out if the doctor has ever been in trouble.

- Do you adhere to a documented code of ethics? Which one?

- What clinical and administrative guidelines for practice do you use? Check them out.

- What areas do you have expertise in, and what evidence in the form of professional recognition, publications or lectures do you have to confirm this? What hospitals or health systems have accredited the doctor to allow them to admit and treat patients?

- Do you communicate with colleagues for continuing medical education, professional supervision and self-development?

- Do you provide face to face and online treatment for patients if required? How do you communicate electronically with your patients?

- What are your billing procedures?

- Do you record consultations electronically in any way and, if so, what are your consent and confidentiality procedures for this. How do you keep your clinical records, and is it possible for patients to share in accessing these?

The practice of medicine is changing rapidly and doctors are becoming much more consumer centric. None of the questions above should cause offence. Doctors are increasingly being trained to communicate well with their patients, and to give sufficient information so that patients can make well informed decisions about their care. Seeking out information about your doctor is part of that decision making process, and will allow you to have more trust in the doctor that you choose for yourself and your family.