- AIIMS doctors flag "VIP syndrome" affecting hospital atmosphere.
- Preferential treatment compromises patient safety and equitable access.
- Call for uniform policies to safeguard fairness in patient care.
Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi flagged VIP syndrome, which has been adversely affecting the hospital's atmosphere in the national capital. They said preferential treatment for influential individuals can compromise patient safety and equitable access to healthcare.
By openly acknowledging the VIP culture at the premier government hospital, doctors said they not only validate clinicians' experiences but also promote preventive strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of preferential treatment.
AIIMS Doctors Call For Uniform Policies
Dr MD Ray, Professor of Surgical Oncology at AIIMS, Delhi, and his MCh student Dr Hema Siri Kottu raised the issue in an article published in Oncology Reviews. The doctors suggested institutional discussions on uniform policies to safeguard equity in patient care.
Pressure from patients or hospital administrators to divert scarce hospital resources can also lead to avoidable complications, the article pointed out. The doctors examined the ethical and clinical challenges posed by what is known as "VIP syndrome" -- influential patients receiving preferential treatment while deviating from standard medical protocols in resource-constrained settings, the authors highlighted in the article.
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While special accommodations for high-profile individuals may be acceptable if they do not compromise access or the quality of care for others, healthcare providers must be vigilant, they added.
The authors said documenting and sharing real-world clinical experiences can help sensitise healthcare professionals to the problem, encourage institutional discussions and promote uniform policies to safeguard equity in patient care.
Doctors Highlight Two Examples In The Article
Doctors mentioned two cases in the article to highlight how VIP culture affect treatment process. A 58-year-old woman with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent surgery without adequate preoperative preparation following pressure from hospital management. The pressure extended to decisions on prolonged ICU care. Delayed mobilisation contributed to pulmonary complications, extending her hospital stay to 12 days, compared with five days generally required for patients undergoing similar procedures.
In another case, relatives of a 60-year-old woman with early breast cancer insisted on a PET-CT scan despite concerns about its necessity. The scan showed increased uptake in mediastinal lymph nodes, leading to further investigation, which ultimately found the changes to be reactive.
The authors cautioned that rushing surgery without adequately addressing conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or recent smoking can increase perioperative risks. Prolonged hospitalisation and unnecessary interventions may also expose patients to additional complications rather than improve their recovery.
They argue that raising awareness of VIP syndrome and establishing consistent institutional protocols are important to protecting patient safety, fairness in access to care and public trust.
(With PTI Inputs)