Patient: Dr. Malpani, my parents often tell me that when they were young, doctors were treated almost like gods. People trusted them completely. But today, that respect seems to be gone. Why is that?
Dr. Malpani: You’re absolutely right. Once upon a time, doctors were respected and trusted without question. Sadly, today that trust has been eroded. The medical profession has betrayed the confidence patients used to repose in us.
Patient: But why did this change happen? Surely not all doctors are bad.
Dr. Malpani: Of course not. There are many honest and hardworking doctors who continue to serve their patients with integrity. But the problem is systemic. Patients often see colleagues taking kickbacks, prescribing unnecessary medicines, or performing surgeries that aren’t required. They notice malpractice, but the troubling truth is this: these doctors get away with it because good doctors remain silent.
Patient: So even the honest doctors are part of the problem because they don’t speak up?
Dr. Malpani: Exactly. When we turn a blind eye to malpractice, we indirectly allow it to continue. Patients suffer because of this silence. And eventually, the entire profession gets a bad reputation. It’s not fair, but when patients lose faith in a few doctors, they begin to distrust all of us.
Patient: But why don’t good doctors raise their voice? Surely they can see the harm being done.
Dr. Malpani: They can see it very clearly. But many are afraid—afraid of professional backlash, afraid of being isolated by colleagues, afraid of losing referrals. Sometimes, it feels safer to keep quiet and mind your own business. Unfortunately, that silence makes us complicit.
Patient: That must be frustrating for patients. How are they supposed to protect themselves if they can’t rely on doctors to hold each other accountable?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a very important question. Patients need to take charge of their own health by becoming better informed. I call this patient autonomy. You should never hand over your health blindly to a doctor. Ask questions. Demand evidence. Seek transparency.
Patient: But many patients feel intimidated. Doctors can be dismissive, and patients often lack the medical knowledge to challenge them.
Dr. Malpani: That’s true, and it’s why education is so important. Patients don’t need to become medical experts, but they can learn to ask the right questions. For example:
Why are you recommending this treatment ?
What happens if I don’t do it?
Are there alternative treatments?
Can I see my reports and test results myself?
Even simple questions can reveal a lot. If your doctor gets irritated or refuses to explain, that’s a red flag.
Patient: So you’re saying the responsibility is two-sided: doctors must act ethically, but patients must also learn to protect themselves?
Dr. Malpani: Absolutely. If patients are passive and unquestioning, unethical doctors find it easy to take advantage of them. But when patients are empowered, it becomes harder for malpractice to thrive. Doctors will know they are being watched, and that accountability makes everyone behave better.
Patient: That makes sense. But how does this apply to IVF and infertility treatment, where so much is at stake emotionally and financially?
Dr. Malpani: IVF is a perfect example. Many clinics oversell unnecessary add-ons—extra tests, costly supplements, “new” technologies that don’t really improve success rates. Patients often don’t realize this until it’s too late. If more doctors spoke out against such practices, it would protect patients. But since many stay silent, it’s left to patients to ask for proof and seek second opinions.
Patient: I can see now why transparency matters so much. But what can a patient do if they feel their doctor isn’t being honest?
Dr. Malpani: The best step is to seek a second opinion from a trusted, independent specialist. A fresh perspective can help you distinguish between what is truly necessary and what is just unnecessary expense. It gives you peace of mind that you’re on the right path.
Patient: Thank you, Dr. Malpani. This conversation has given me a lot of clarity. I realize now that patients shouldn’t blindly blame doctors—but at the same time, doctors must take responsibility for cleaning up their profession.
Dr. Malpani: Exactly. Respect is earned through integrity. The only way the medical profession can regain the trust of patients is by speaking up against wrong practices and putting the patient’s best interests first. Until that happens, patients must learn to safeguard themselves through knowledge, awareness, and assertiveness.
Dr. Malpani: You can also get information to any query related to your IVF treatment from me instantly at https://www.drmalpani.com/chat-w-chatbot/index.html