Free tools

Six short tools for the questions that come before and after choosing a doctor. All of them run in your browser. There is no account, and nothing you enter is sent to our servers.

Start here

• Symptom finder

  Not sure which kind of specialist treats your problem? Pick a body area, choose your symptoms, and get a suggested doctor type with an explanation of why.

• Where should I go?

  Emergency room, urgent care, telehealth, or your own doctor — answer a few questions to find out which setting fits what you are dealing with.

Before your appointment

• Appointment prep sheet

  Build a printable one-page sheet with your symptoms, your history, and the questions worth asking that particular specialist.

• Symptom timeline

  Track when a symptom happens and how severe it is over days or weeks, then print a summary. Patterns are far easier to see written down.

• Do I need a referral?

  See whether your type of insurance plan usually requires a referral before a specialist visit, and exactly what to ask your insurer to confirm it.

• Check a doctor

  Verify board certification, licence status, and disciplinary history using the official free services run by ABMS and the state medical boards.

What these tools do not do

None of these tools diagnose anything. They help you decide who to see and arrive better prepared — they do not tell you what is wrong with you, and they are not a substitute for a clinician's judgement. If your symptoms are severe, worsening quickly, or simply frightening you, seek care rather than working through a questionnaire.

We do not accept payment from doctors, insurers, or health systems, and none of these tools recommend a specific provider. Read our editorial policy for how this content is written and reviewed.

Prefer to read?

• All symptom guides — which doctor treats what
• All specialty guides — what each type of doctor does
• Articles — referrals, second opinions, and getting taken seriously
• Glossary — plain-English medical terms