Consumers Clamor for Doctor Profiles

Massachusetts residents dialed in by the hundreds for never-before-available information on their doctors, including their malpractice payouts, disciplinary records and criminal history. It is the first time in the United States such detailed doctor information has been made available to the public through a toll-free line. The profiles, which also list education, honors and awards, hospital affiliations, insurance plans and specialties, are sent by fax directly from operators’ computer terminals, or they are mailed out the same day.