A case where atypical depression was missed – due to the celebrity or VIP bias:
Dr. Groopman observes that V.I.P. or celebrity patients sometimes short-circuit the physician’s normal diagnostic thinking. For example, these patients may be spared the doctor’s usual tests and procedures. As our “top gun,” Mike was just such a patient to me. Even as I entertained grandiose fantasies about curing him, my unconscious may have steered me away from doing everything I could to help him get better.
Related posts:
- Doctors take risks by treating celebrity patients
- Treating VIPs
- How to be good friends with a nurse
- Operating on family and friends
- Friends, relatives and medical advice
- Treating celebrities
- Doctors treating themselves
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Whenever we get VIPs, they get MORE than everyone else. Inappropriate MRIs, inappropriate admits, etc. “Hey, my neck hurt when I woke up this morning!” MRI!
I think VIP’s (which include other physicians, lawyers, family members,and others whom doctors might single out for special treatment) actually might get less care than the typical patient. For example, a physician might spare a VIP the discomfort of a rectal exam, which could have picked up on a prostatic mass. That is a disservice to that VIP.
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