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The National Practitioner Databank was established by Congress in 1986 to be a clearinghouse of information on sanctions by state licensing authorities, malpractice awards, and hospital disciplinary actions. It provides the most complete background check, but only hospitals, doctors, managed care organizations, and government agencies are permitted to access it.

Even so, you can still find critical information with a few mouse clicks or a phone call. Here are some of the best sources:

1.Check with your state's medical board.

Depending on the state, you might get details on disciplinary actions or information on malpractice awards. But each state varies on what information is made public, how often it's updated, and how doctors are disciplined. The best link to websites, addresses, and phone numbers for all 50 states' licensing boards can be found at the website of the Federation of State Medical Boards .

2. Check DocFinder, a free database that allows you to check data from 20 states with a single search.

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