Doctor Quote by Alexander McCall Smith
““The doctor drummed the fingers of his left hand on the edge of the table, a strange gesture which suggested, Isabel thought, an impatient temperment. Perhaps he had been obliged to listen too long to those whom he did not consider his intellectual equal, exhausted patients with long-running complaints, unable to put their views succinctly. Some doctors could become like that, she thought, just as some lawyers could; prolonged exposure to flawed humanity could create a sense of superiority if one was not careful--and perhaps he was not.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, 1998
A doctor’s impatience may stem from feeling intellectually superior to patients, reflecting how prolonged exposure to perceived flaws can breed contempt.
In simple terms: Doctors may become condescending when they view patients as inferior.
Key Takeaway
Beware of superiority bias in caregiving.
Themes
professionalism
empathy
power dynamics
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- medical practice
- patient interactions
- lawyer-client relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
social hierarchy
bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain humility when faced with repeated complaints?
- What checks can prevent intellectual arrogance?
A Different Perspective
Superiority bias can erode trust and care quality.
