The Doctor Is In: Zagat guide for physicians is troubling

If you close your eyes and point your finger to a doctor's name in the phone book, can you be reasonably assured that they know what they're doing just because they carry a medical license? Maybe. But if you want to increase the likelihood of winding up with the best primary care doctor or specialist out there, you'll have to do a bit of research.

There are numerous efforts to rate doctors based on measurable standards to steer you toward the best doctors. The latest company to offer online physician evaluations is Zagat, the well-known restaurant and leisure guide.

But, unlike reviewing restaurants, quality of care in medicine is more complicated than how your food tastes or how your service was.