consumer's guide

Sometimes, health care services can fall below a patient’s expectations. As a health care consumer, you should know what you can do to ensure that you receive quality health care. This means knowing what to do when the care you receive is not of the quality you deserve.

Did you know that the State Medical Board of Ohio

• licenses physicians and limited branch practitioners; and
• regulates physicians and limited branch practitioners; and
• receives and investigates complaints regarding quality of care and competency issues?

This Consumer’s Guide to the State Medical Board of Ohio is designed to answer questions you might have as a patient, as well as tell you what the Medical Board can do for you.

This booklet provides you with a step-by-step guide through the complaint process. It is hoped that this information will encourage you to contact the Medical Board when you have legitimate concerns about your physician or other health care providers.

Consumer complaints are an important and direct source of information about the competency of health care professionals and the quality of care they provide. Complaints also show Medical Board officials that consumers are watching the actions the Board takes on behalf of the public.