When you walk into a clinic or a hospital, you expect the most well dressed, clean-cut looking, conservatively dressed in a white coat and a stethoscope person to be the doctor. But what if he is not? Is it ok to have a doctor with a full sleeve tattoo, electric blue hairs, or any piercing?
Set aside the knowledge and expertise of the doctor, how is that for a first impression?
More and more offices are accepting a more casual work culture, most of them encouraging the employees to break the standard norms. However, though doctors aren’t usually handed out a dress code, the chic formal look has been an unsaid rule for decades.
What will happen if the GenNext doctors decide to bring in a change? What will happen if they break the norm while abiding the code of conduct and the necessary precautions required for hygienic patient handling?
Well, it’s a grey area. Will the doctor will be any less efficient or knowledgeable if he has a tattoo? Certainly not. Will the doctor see any effect, mainly negative on the way the patients perceive him? Probably, yes.
Dr. Dav Ora, a graduate from Columbia University Medical Centre, quotes,” Just because I have tattoos does not mean I don’t know how to save patient lives.” According to him, getting tattooed is not a big deal. Yeah, I have a full sleeve tattoo, I work hard every day in the clinic, pay my taxes, I love god, I respect my patients, and obey the law. The only difference is I don’t judge people for not having tattoos.
Imagine studying for years to become a healthcare professional, finally land the perfect interview and job only to be screened out because you have a visible tattoo!!.
According to a patient—a well-groomed doctor with a conservative look is more reliable and dependable. Senior medical associates also support this argument.
It is worse for female doctors. In a recent study, female doctors with unconventional body-piercings or tattoo were perceived to be less confident, professional, efficient, and approachable than their peers.
Also, patients rated tattooed doctors lower in comparison to the tattooed one.
Healthcare business is based on the cycle of faith and virtues, where patient satisfaction is directly correlated with the outcomes. A satisfied patient appears regularly for follow-ups, takes medication, and follows prescribed regime/precautions. But all the above studies were conducted by asking patients how they would feel, hypothetically, about practitioners depicted in photos. This theory can be correct or can have another side to it.
Dr. Anne Winsdor has a different say. She’s a surgical resident in Malaysia and aspires to be an orthopedic surgeon. She has got 5 visible tattoos. Dr. Winsdor wants to break down stereotypes about a traditional medic look. According to her, patients and colleagues positively react to them. I’m often complimented on my colourful appearance. Young patients find it can be a good barrier breaker and often say I look more approachable than some of the more traditionally dressed doctors. I always dress presentably, and ultimately if you’re a good listener, have empathy and compassion, having artwork on your skin doesn’t seem to matter. It certainly doesn’t make you any less capable. This stigma is changing because having colourful clothes doesn’t make you a bad professional.
What is your opinion? Will you go and tick this off your bucket list? Or if you are already flaunting it, tell us your story in the comment section.
Reference
- Motluk A. Is it unprofessional for doctors to have tattoos or facial piercings?
