Each year, millions of Americans are affected by critical and life threatening illnesses and injuries. At such times, many people realize that the medical care available within their local community may not be able to meet their needs and they seek out the very best medical care the nation has to offer. But how does a patient or a family identify the nation's top medical specialists and hospitals? Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. surveyed over 230,000 physicians including medical school deans, residency program director and chiefs of service and asked them to nominate the top doctors in their specialties.Then our physician-led research team reviewed the credentials of all physicians considered for inclusion before making a final selection. The result is America's Top Doctors, a directory of more than 4,000 of the nation's top referral specialists. These physicians practice at the nation's leading medical centers and specialty hospitals and they are the doctors patients seek when they need the very best medial care. Also included in the guide is a narrative explaining how to find a top doctor or hospital, as well as detailed descriptions of some of the outstanding programs and services offered by many of the nation's leading hospitals. The Guide also includes useful appendices, descriptions of all medical specialties and a listing of health/medical resources. The book is fully indexed, including a subject index and doctor (name and location) index. Additionally, specific chapters describe how to utilize the resources of the NIH and how to access clinical trials. America's Top Doctors is a consumer guide, not a "who's who," and is researched and published by experienced medical and healthcare professionals. Castle Connolly Guides are designed to help consumers find the best healthcare and are a trusted source of information for thousands of book buyers and web-users each year.The company's founders were the chairman and the president of one of the nation's leading private medical colleges.