Ensure informed choice. Programs that help women make their own informed choices about their fertility show respect for their clients' right and ability to make decisions. All personnel, no matter what their function, can act politely and in a respectful, friendly manner with all clients at all times. Program managers can train staff to think of clients' needs and to communicate with clients. Staff also can learn how to communicate respect.
Managers can reward personnel who treat female clients respectfully.
They can measure the success of programs and providers by client satisfaction rather than just by numbers of clients. Whether clients return for further services when needed also indicates whether they are satisfied. Improve staff morale. Family planning personnel may treat clients poorly if personnel themselves have to work with insufficient time, supplies, space, or pay. If so, managers can acknowledge the problems, remedy them if possible, and at the same time make clear that the staff's frustrations are not an excuse for treating clients disrespectfully.