Introduction

"I observe the physician with the same diligence as the disease." --John Donne

Many people who wouldn’t buy a toaster without consulting Consumer Reports become meek and deferential in the presence of a stethoscope and a long white coat. Otherwise well-informed people find it difficult to judge the quality of their medical care and to play a meaningful role in the medical decisions whose consequences they will have to live with.

Examining Your Doctor was the first book to teach consumers to systematically evaluate the competence of their doctors and the quality of their medical care. More than anything, Examining Your Doctor explains how to think about doctors and the practice of medicine, and to take control of your medical care.

• A selection of Consumer Reports Books
• Excerpted in the June and July 1995 issues of Public Citizen’s Health Letter (lead story in both issues)
• Excerpted in Men’s Health magazine October 1995
• Due to the publisher’s bankruptcy, the book is currently out-of-print. It is still available in many public libraries and used copies can be found in places like Amazon.com and Half.com.

The excerpts below were originally published on America Online’s Health channel.

Disclaimer: This web site should not be considered a substitute for the care of a doctor. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information here is accurate and up-to-date. Due to the constant evolution of medical knowledge and individual variation in symptoms, diseases, and responses to therapy, however, it is prudent to consult a competent physician (or other qualified healthcare worker) before making medical decisions based on the information found here.