I am on a WhatsApp group that found itself seething because one of its members died trying to seek a consultation with a famous doctor. It was probably something that required early attention, but no appointments were available, and the patient insisted they wanted to see only him. They were furious that some doctors had now become stuck up and pompous and were misusing the gift of healing bestowed upon them. “I feel ashamed that such rude and non-compassionate doctors exist in our country,” an exasperated member lamented. “It’s our fault alone that we have relegated doctors to divinity,” someone else ranted.

The discussion reminded of the time a patient of mine, Rakesh, who had a brain tumour, once candidly told me, “Sir, hum bade bade doctor chhod ke aap ke paas aaye [I ditched some prominent doctors to come and be treated by you].” I was transiently perplexed whether to treat it as a compliment or criticism. Should I be elated or offended? It got me thinking as to what makes a doctor bada (a big shot), and more important, what does a patient expect from their doctor. So, I put out the question to the same people and a few others with the intent to help make us better doctors.