I hate name-dropping. I don’t care who you know or are related to. It won’t get you any better (or worse) care at my office.
A key part of medicine is being impartial. Regardless of whether you’re rich, poor, ugly, attractive, or whatever, I try my best for you.
Granted, this isn’t always entirely possible. Part of human nature is that, consciously or subconsciously, we’re affected in how we view people and act. To the best of my ability, I try to ignore this.
The hard part is trying not to have a negative reaction to this. I’d say that the instinctive reaction of most docs is the opposite of what the patient is trying to get: a favorable position. When someone drops the "perhaps you’ve heard of my uncle, Senator Smith" line, human nature is more likely to make me instantly dislike that person.
I know I’m not alone, either. Name-droppers are generally seen as "pests." So why do people do it at all? In a medical office, I can only assume it’s because they think it will get them better care.
Maybe it will in some places. There are many medical institutions that are perennially on the lookout for potential donors who want to have a new wing named after them. But my solo practice isn’t one of them.
I promise to provide you the best care I am capable of, regardless of who you’re related to or are friends with. So please keep that information to yourself and let me stay impartial. It makes me a better doctor, and you a better patient.
Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.