Some people think that doctors education neglects the study of nutrition. While they are quick to point out the gap, they don’t mention the issue of fashion.
It is hard to imagine anyone less fashion-oriented than me, even though I was raised with a mother and two sisters who dressed to make a statement. My mother used to shopping expeditions with me where she would pick an absurd item of clothing and proclaim it “just what they’re wearing.” My retort was, “who are they and why should I care?” My usual fashion statement could be issued by a political person at this time.
Patients sometimes comment favorably on my apparel, which is usually a tie that matches a shirt. I usually ask about the care of the eyes. Sometimes one hits the ball even while swinging with the eyes closed, and I will say something like that when cornered.
I was surprised to discover that I am opining publicly on doctors and fashion. My medical group asked those of us with three decades of tenure to offer lessons from their care. Twenty minutes was allocated.
Patients prefer doctors to wear a white coat and dress formally, according to research. The Pandemic changed that dynamic. Doctors can now dress as they please from the waist down. On video visit days, I wear jeans with a long-sleeved shirt and tie, and I have taken advantage of this. Doctors in the office are either wearing surgical scrubs or dressing like they would at home.
How difficult is it, I asked my colleagues, to take the few extra minutes to reassure those who might care? That’s not fashion, it’s compassion.
I would concede to my less formal colleagues that they would not offend long-term patients. The first visit is where new patients make their decisions. Men who wear a tie feel more comfortable with someone who looks on their game. That means wearing a tie for seniors. I asked my colleagues to take a few minutes to assure those who might care. That is not fashion, it is compassion.
The tie issue is off the table for women. Even though professional attire is still important for anyone in healthcare.
What do you think about scrubs? There are three reasons for wearing them. scrubs are required in the operating room because ordinary clothing creates airborne contaminants. Clothes may get stained in the emergency department. The issue doesn’t apply to primary care. It is more comfortable to work in pajamas for primary care doctors. Although they make dressing easier, scrubs also contribute an aura of urgency and time constraints suitable for an emergency department. Consideration should be at the forefront of outpatient care. The female equivalent of a long sleeve shirt and tie makes sense if we don’t need a pipe and tweed coat.
I only wear a white coat for photo ops. The Almighty set my thermostat too high and I quickly over- heat. I assisted in the administering of Evusheld in a clinic. Even though it felt like a Marcus Welby Halloween costume, I wore a white coat as the patients didn’t know me and with the benefit of some extra cooling time.
I did not observe a change in their dress habits a week after the talk. They probably wouldn’t change personal habits for the sake of compensation. Probably not in that order. That is OK. I am used to people not taking my advice after three decades. Both the patients and I think it is an occupational hazard. I plan to hang up my stethoscope, tie, and bullhorn at the same time.
Daniel Stone is the Regional Medical Director of Cedars-Sinai Valley Network. The views in this column are not necessarily those of Cedars-Sinai.