How to File a Complaint To file a complaint against your doctor (for unprofessional conduct or incompetent practice), find your state medical board and follow the steps explained on the state medical board’s website. State medical boards allow patients to file complaints either online, by email, phone or standard mail.

Complaints are prioritized according to the potential for patient harm; cases in which an investigator determines imminent patient harm is possible are typically “fast-tracked” to ensure swift action by the state medical board.

Examples of complaints receiving high priority by investigators may include a doctor

engaging in sexual misconduct,

practicing medicine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and

providing substandard care.

The most common complaint received by state medical boards is an allegation that a doctor has deviated from the accepted standard of medical care in a state.

Some of the most common standard-of care complaints include:

Prescribing the wrong medicine

Inappropriately prescribing controlled substances

Failure to diagnose a medical problem that is found later

Willfully or negligently violating the confidentiality between physician and patient except as required by law

Disruptive behavior and/or interaction with physicians, hospital personnel, patients, family members, or others that interferes with patient care

Failure to provide appropriate post-operative care

Failure to respond to a call from a hospital to help a patient in a traumatic situation