1. Verify the physician's education and training
You will want to make sure that the physician has the appropriate education and training for the role they will be performing. This includes verifying that the school attended is accredited and that the degree is recognized. You should also confirm that the training is current and up-to-date.
2. Check that the physician has a license in good standing
You will want to check that the physician's license is up-to-date and in good standing. This can be done by checking with the appropriate licensing board.
3. Confirm the physician's specialty and subspecialty certification(s)
You will want to ensure that the physician is certified in their specialty and subspecialty by a reputable organization.
4. Verify that the physician is up-to-date on continuing medical education (CME) credits
It is important that physicians stay up-to-date on new medical information, and one way to ensure this is by requiring CME credits for renewal of licensure/certification. You can verify that the physician has met this requirement by checking their license/certification renewal date or by contacting the certifying body directly.
5. Investigate any disciplinary actions taken against the physician
If there have been any disciplinary actions taken against the physician, you will want to investigate what they were for and how they were resolved. This can be done by contacting state licensing boards or professional organizations, as appropriate.
6. Request verification of malpractice insurance coverage from the physician and their carrier(s)
It is important to have malpractice insurance coverage in case something goes wrong during treatment. You can verify coverage by requesting verification from both the physician and their carrier(s).
7. Request to see copies of recent peer reviews conducted on the physician, if available
Peer reviews are a valuable source of information when assessing a physician's qualifications. If reviews are available, you should review them carefully before making a decision about credentialing.
8. Compare what you find against your organization's specific credentialing criteria
After you have gathered all of the information, you will want to compare it against your organization's specific credentialing criteria. This will help you to make a decision about whether or not to credential the physician.