Media Release

CONTACT: Bruce McIntyre 401-222-3855
FOR:  Release at Media briefing at 10:30 am April 10, 1998, Public Health Library
DATE: April 9, 1998

Rhode Island takes a giant step toward release of Physician Profiles: Representative Anzeveno announces progress during Public Health Week

Today, Representative Frank Anzeveno (D-North Providence) and Dr. Patricia Nolan, Director of Health jointly announce completion of "Phase One" of the Rhode Island Physician Profiles program. Representative Anzeveno sponsored legislation which will make previously confidential information about physician practices open to the public. "Providing the community with information about health care providers is a goal that I have shared with the Rhode Island Medical Society and other professional groups", Anzeveno said. "This is a first step toward achieving that goal. This information will assist people in selecting doctors who best meet their needs and is one component of maintaining quality health care in Rhode Island".

The Physician Profiles legislation mandates that the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline makes information about physicians available to the public. This information will include disciplinary histories, malpractice payment history, information about Board certification, insurance coverage and whether a physician has received any awards or has published medical articles.

Phase one includes two features: the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline web page and "DocFinder". DocFinder will provide consumers with up-to-date information on all allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians including name, license number, license type, license status, business address, birth date, board certification, hospital privileges in RI and medical school information. Information will be available only through the Internet and can be obtained through the Department of Health home page at http://www.health.state.ri.us.

The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline web page will provide the public with a history of disciplinary actions taken by the Board, including alphabetized names of doctors involved. It also includes information about the Board, how to file a complaint, Board meetings dates, licensing procedures and information for doctors and lawyers about practices and procedures before the boards at the Department of Health. This information is also available through the Department of Health home page, http://www.health.state.ri.us.

According to Dr. Patricia Nolan, Director of Health, "The Physician Profiles program will complement other Department of Health programs for consumer information and quality--programs such as certifying health plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and utilization review (UR) agencies." The Board is in the process of completing the next phase of the Physician Profiles Project, with a fall target date. Dr. Nolan said, "The DocFinder and web site components demonstrate the tremendous potential for getting public health information out for people to see and use."

• A media briefing by Representative Anzeveno and Dr. Nolan with a demonstration of the new Physician Profiles system will take place on Friday, April 10, 1998 at 10:30 am in the Public Health Library, Room 103 of the Department of Health, Cannon Building.

For speech or hearing impaired, 1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us