Why IVF patients need to complain if they are unhappy

IVF treatment does not always go well, and many IVF patients may have complaints about the way they were treated.

However, if you have complaints about your treatment, or want to complain about a particular staff member of the IVF clinic, you are scared to do so, as you feel this confrontation will aggravate your stress. This is why a lot of complaints get bottled up, and patients are reluctant to provide feedback which can help the IVF clinic to improve.

The best way to solve a problem is to do it face to face, right when the problem is occurring, or soon after  State your concerns, needs, and expectations clearly.

• If you have a concern, you should immediately speak up. At a small clinic, you can talk to the doctor directly. A lot of patients are scared to do so, because they feel the doctor is "too busy". However, the job of a good doctor is to take care of patients, and no doctor is so busy that he can afford to neglect his patients. After all, patients come first, and you should focus on making sure you get good care. If you are taking treatment is in a large hospital, you may need to talk to the IVF Clinic Manager or the CEO.
• A lot of patients are scared that the staff will get irritated with them if they complain. However, don't think that the doctor will get angry if you complain. Complaining will not cause your care to be compromised. Good IVF clinics want to help you resolve your problem as quickly as possible. This is in your best interests, and theirs as well. After all, no good IVF clinics wants unhappy patients !
• You should be clear about your own expectations. What do you want? What do you expect the clinic to do? This allows the IVF clinic to know what will help. Please remember that your responsibility does not stop when you identify the problem - a constructive complaint also identifies a solution !
• If the doctor is not accessible, you can always send him your concerns in writing - perhaps by email or as a letter. Written complaints are always taken more seriously.
• It is usually best to resolve problems through face-to-face conversations. These can result in better and faster understanding.
• A good IVF clinic will use your experience to further improve their quality of care. 

At Malpani Infertility Clinic, we take patient complaints very seriously, as they are an opportunity for us to improve. Not only do we have a  have a Patient Complaints and Compliments book, we encourage patients to email me directly, so I can help to resolve their complaints .