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Why I criticise doctors

Why I criticise doctors

Written by Dr Aniruddha Malpani |Updated : February 14, 2014 12:26 PM IST

doctor-criticismDr Aniruddha Malpani, an IVF specialist and a strong advocate of patient therapy often breaks omerta the professional code of silence that most doctors have about their peers. He tells us exactly why it bodes well for the entire healthcare system if doctors start being more straightforward and honest, which will include criticism of their peers.

I can be quite opinionated and having strong feelings about why and how doctors should be open and transparent when treating patients. This is why , when I review the medical records of patients who have done IVF cycles in other clinics , and find that they do not have photographs of their embryos , I get upset and tell them that any IVF clinic which doesn't routinely and proactively provide embryo photographs is not a good clinic in my book. Poor quality documentation often suggests poor quality medical care. Many patients get very agitated and upset when I say this, and I can understand why. After all, when you take treatment with a doctor, you do establish a relationship with that doctor, and are naturally upset when the doctor is being criticized (by a new doctor, with whom you have no relationship. Patients do quite a lot of homework before deciding which IVF clinic to go to, and they would rather believe that they made a good choice. You want to continue to believe that your choice of doctor was a good one, which is why patients often become defensive when I am frank and forthright. Read all you ever needed to know about IVF

Some feel I am being unnecessarily harsh and unfair. They also think I'm criticizing their judgment and blaming them for choosing a poor quality clinic which means in one sense that they were also partly responsible for the failure of the cycle, because they did not select a good doctor. This can be a very uncomfortable feeling, because patients don't want their judgment challenged.

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The fact is that I am quite understanding. I know that IVF treatment is complicated and that success rates are never 100%, so that even if high-quality medical care was provided, it does not necessarily mean that the cycle would be successful. IVF failure does not mean the doctor was incompetent! However, there are certain basic standards which every IVF clinic need to comply with and providing embryo photos is one of them.

Many of my patients feel I am being stupid by being openly critical of my colleagues and peers while others feel I am just trying to show that I am better than them. I refuse to be politically correct, and I refuse to join the conspiracy of silence on the part of medical professionals, many of whom refuse to say critical things about other doctors, simply because we are all part of the same profession. I think it's far better for doctors to be open and self-critical, so that we can get our house in order , and can increase the confidence levels which patients have in the medical profession.

Be being critical of another doctor, I am not trying to badmouth him, or gain brownie points; or play a game of one-upmanship. I'm just trying to teach the patient that there is a right way of doing things and advising them what proactive action they can take, to make sure that at least for their next IVF cycle , they will get better care, by finding a doctor who will give them photographs of their embryos, without their even needing to ask !

The author Dr Aniruddha Malpani is an IVF specialist who is also very passionate about improving patient knowledge and patient-doctor relationships. He is a pioneer in the field of information therapy the right information at the right time for the right person and blogs athttp://blog.drmalpani.com.

Also read Dr Malpani's other articles on doctor-patient relationships, patient advocacy and healthcare:

Why do doctors disrespect patients?

15 tips to make your doctor's consultation better

No doctor can treat a patient without his permission

2014 The year of the Aam Patient

A layman's guide to getting the best during a hospital stay

Medical negligence: How to file a complaint

Patient rights in India what you should know

Have a doctor's appointment? Make the most of it with these tips

Patient Rights how not to get quacked by babas and medical cures

Medical negligence how to get justice

Patient advocacy why patients need to be given a voice

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