**Speaking of dress codes, don't be fooled by her get-up. It's still 90+ degrees here.**
Every week or so, I spend an afternoon acting as a consult doctor for our residents. That means instead of seeing my own patients, I am on call for resident questions. I usually help them choose the right medicines, look at rashes or x-rays, and help them sort through complicated symptoms. It’s something I relish. It keeps me on my toes and it’s fun to interact with the residents. Plus? No charts to finish at the end of the afternoon. ☺
**First Professional Haircut. She ate it up.**
I don’t usually wear my white coat while I’m consulting since most of the work is done outside of patient rooms. Sometimes I’ll throw it on as a protective layer if I’m going in to a particularly contagious room. So, on Monday I wasn’t wearing my white coat while on consult. I was wearing a silky cotton button-down black blouse, bootcut white cords, and black heels. Which is relevant to the story, I promise.
After consulting with one resident, I was walking across the lobby back to my office. I heard someone say behind me, “So, is it dress down Monday?” I stopped and turned around. One of my patients, a male in his 50’s, was standing there waiting for a response. I must’ve looked confused, because he repeated his question. I looked down at my outfit, and said, “I’m consulting for the residents.”
**Now maybe if I was sporting this do, courtesy of Tiny's salon, I could understand his concern.**
“Oh, okay. Well, I just got my bloodwork done. I’ll see you on Monday!” He got on the elevator and left.
The encounter left me fairly confused. One of our nurses who overheard the exchange said, ‘He’s crazy! You look really nice!’ I mean, what is dressed down about 3 inch black heels?
**Did you know we can't show our toes at work? There's a closed toe policy.**
Based on his comment, he either thinks I should always be wearing a skirt or black slacks, or he was noting the fact that I wasn’t wearing my white coat. And that got me thinking.
Dear Blog Readers, do you expect your doctor to always wear a white coat in an outpatient setting?
**Daddy/Daughter reading time.**
Because, here’s the thing: I’m one of the only attending docs in our office who wears a white coat on a regular basis. We have name tags we wear if we don’t wear a coat. Most of the doctors just don’t like the extra layer. I’ve mainly worn it out of habit, for the pockets to keep my cards and stethoscope in, and to shield my clothes from the general germiness of my job. But I don’t always.
**I try to keep from bringing home germs to my blue eyed beauty.**
Maybe it’s just a matter of expectations. Since he usually sees me in my coat, I look casual to him without it. Or maybe it underscores the fact that women’s professional wear is a more complicated matter than the shirts and ties my male colleagues wear.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts and if you feel strongly about the white coat.
Happy Weekend!
i don't expect my doctors to wear white coats... maybe it's something about our generation that veers from the traditional?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to recall if any of Adam's doctors and specialists have ever worn a white coat... Honestly out of the 15 specialists I've seen with kids we've cared for, perhaps 5 have ever worn white coats. In fact, I'll always remember the day I saw our pediatrician in jeans at work. He comes in on Saturdays for special appointments. We had to take Adam in. All I can say is boy did he look different in a really attractive way. Lol. Our pediatrician is much older than Jason and I. In fact he's stated very clearly that Adam has given him some of his grey hair. I've met his son, who helps out on Saturdays too.
ReplyDeleteBefore Owen was born I nannied for two doctors, husband and wife. They didn't wear their white coats either. And honestly, I saw what the wife wore to work every day. I'm guessing you looked absolutely fabulous!
Now Owen... A white coat makes a doctor to him, but that's just because he's been watching Grey's Anatomy with me. He puts his own on and practices doing different procedures.
I'm a first year medical student and we just had our first lecture on "Doctoring" - this one was about patient expectations, professionalism and dress code. Let me tell you: I don't think I own one thing that qualifies under the dress code. Men had it simple: collared shirt, tie, socks, slacks. Women? We had (LITERALLY!) an entire slide, which was probably more than a paragraph. Nothing above the knee, nothing with sparkles, no strong perfume (funny, I notice male doctors seem to be the ones oblivious to their overpowering cologne), no bare shoulders, no cleavage (especially when bending), no heels over 2", I mean... it went on and on and on! I think I need to buy a Nun's Habit! Anyway. I think the point is this: Everyone has such different expectations. You're an attending, so who cares? Some patients will think you're stuffy if you never wear anything but gray slacks and a cardigan, some will think you're "casual" if you wear cords and heels. I'll go buy an ultra-plain wardrobe for the next 8 years, then when I'm an attending, I can wear flowy skirts once in awhile. :)
ReplyDeleteTruthfully I don't EXPECT a white coat and frankly, I feel more comfortable when there isn't one. I think your wardrobe (heels) is not 'dressed down'.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your fun pictures - they truly brighten my day! :)
Definitely go with a white shirt and tie next time. A mustache might be helpful, but it would have to be the right kind of mustache.
ReplyDeleteLoved catching up on your blog. Love your photos, and those big blue eyes of Lil' Drummer. I don't care if my Dr. shows up in a white coat at the office, as long as she/he is pleasant to me and acknowledges my kids'curiosity. You look super skinny! Love, your super pregnant friend.
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