Frequently Asked Questions

What does ExpertMapper do?

ExpertMapper ranks persons and institutions according to their demonstrated expertise in specific medical diseases, conditions, and treatments.

With ExpertMapper you can find, for your specific problem, the highest-ranked experts anywhere in the world, in your part of the country, or in your state or city. You can even narrow the listings to rank just the experts who are at one specific medical center.

Why is it called "ExpertMapper"?

ExpertMapper gives you detailed information about the geographical location of experts -- their countries, cities, and institutions. With this map of experts, you can choose which ones to contact for help with your problem.

Why do I need ExpertMapper?

You should try ExpertMapper if:

• You have had trouble finding an informed physician -- for yourself or a loved one.
• You are satisfied with your doctor, but you are facing a major medical decision, and would like the comfort of a second opinion from an expert who has taken a professional interest in your problem.

• You are uncertain or confused or looking for advice on your condition.

ExpertMapper will quickly point you to people who are experts in your problem.

What do I need to run ExpertMapper?

A web browser connected to the Internet. We recommend version 4.0 and higher of Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.

What is the best way to use ExpertMapper?

Our 2-Minute Tour shows you the the types of questions ExpertMapper can answer.

The Picking Clinical Experts page will help you use the information ExpertMapper provides.

The Limitations of ExpertMapper page will help you understand the limits of the information.

What is an expert?

We define an expert as someone who demonstrates their expertise and knowledge of a field by writing articles that are published in the medical literature. These are the experts who try to teach the world their knowledge.

ExpertMapper will not identify experts who do not publish their knowledge and experiences.

How are experts ranked?

Experts are ranked according to the quality and quantity of their publications.

Details: ExpertMapper examines all medical publications that are indexed in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database. We rank the expertise of each author according to the number and type of articles that each expert has authored on the specific condition, disease, or treatment of interest to you.

This ranking method identifies experts who have a variety of backgrounds. For example, experts that we identify my be ranked highly because they

• conduct and publish clinical research into your condition
   
• write reviews that are based on analysis of other researchers' work on your condition
   
• author articles on the scientific underpinnings of your condition.

Does ExpertMapper locate expert doctors?

You can use ExpertMapper to locate a physician to take care of yourself or a loved one. Many of the experts that we identify are expert physicians who concentrate their professional lives on managing the illnesses of sick people.

However, it is important to realize that not all the experts that ExpertMapper identifies are clinical experts who can take care of patients. For example:

• Some experts have only a PhD degree. They cannot be a patient's physician.
   
• Some experts with an M.D. degree work mostly in the laboratory. They do not take care of sick people.
   
• Some expert physicians mostly help other physicians. These experts rarely see an actual patient. Instead, they read X-rays and diagnostic scans, or examine and interpret tissue samples under a microscope.

See also our discussion of the Limitations of ExpertMapper.

I understand that ExpertMapper includes many different types of experts. How can I tell which experts specialize in caring for patients?

ExpertMapper does not automatically identify which experts specialize in taking care of patients. But you should be able to use the information provided by ExpertMapper to find such experts. See our Picking Clinical Experts page.

Another interesting point: Even experts who don't take care of patients often work closely with experts who do, so they may be able to recommend a clinical expert for you.

My problem is not listed as an available ExpertMapper topic. Why?

There are thousands of possible medical problems. We are continually expanding the list of conditions that we cover.

If we do not yet list your condition, please tell us on the Custom Topics page. If you give us your email address, we will let you know when your topic is in ExpertMapper's database.

Can I get a custom topic added to ExpertMapper's database?

Please see our Custom Topics page.

How can I speed the day when an ExpertMapper will know about my problem?

Consider a financial contribution. Your contribution enables us to devote additional resources to ExpertMapper.

Who is ExpertMapper?

See the About Us page.

How long has the service been running?

The ExpertMapper service was created and tested in 2002, and first launched in 2003.