Doctors with Piercings

applemilk1992

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1490068

Would you distrust a doctor just because they have a piercing? and would you distrust a male doctor because they have a piercing? It seems theres a certain degree of distrust among people for doctors with piercings.

what annoys me most is the whole "working with a physician or student with a nose or eyebrow piercing would bother 58% and 59% of faculty". I don't have this piercing, but I think its just as discriminatory as saying they'd be bothered if they had to work with someone of a different race, or height, age, who dressed differently etc.

Do people need to get real, or is it something that can be considered taboo in a respected field such as medicine? Personally, a piercing in my doctor wouldn't bother me. I'd think its cool personally.

Reply 1

generalebriety

16

applemilk1992

I think its just as discriminatory as saying they'd be bothered if they had to work with someone of a different race, or height, age, who dressed differently etc.

Yes, well, you think wrong. You can't change your race, height or age, but you can take your piercing out. :confused:

Reply 2

AnythingButChardonnay

14

I think, possibly subconsciously, it probably would alter my opinion of any professional male.

Reply 3

Renal

17

Regardless of whether it should or shouldn't be so, it is and as a profession, and as professionals within it, we could be considered obliged to comply with what the punters want.

Reply 4

username43584

8

In the case of piercings, it can be a subconscious thing.

Personally, I don't mind subtle piercings, such as in the ear or small ones in the nose or something, but multiple metallic facial piercings (for example) can seem quite intimidating, and even make me a little scared of that person, in a similar way to having loads of tattoos up ones' biceps. Not because I think that person is actually a bad person or going to hurt me, but because I think I associate it with gangs a little bit.

I say the above from the point of view of a patient who will probably not get to know the doctor well. If it was a colleague, I would get to know them and their piercings probably won't count for much in my overall attitude towards them. But the first impression may be the only impression a patient in hospital can make as they'll see their doctor only fleetingly, and piercings may make them feel more uncomfortable.

The doctors in the study don't necessarily have a problem with piercings themselves, but they may be thinking on behalf of patients.

Reply 5

brokenangel

16

when i volunteered i had an old woman say that she felt people with piercing were threatening and would have avoided me in the street.

All I had was a tiny little diamond stud which I usually took out but at the time it was infected and I didn’t want it to close up.

Reply 6

AEH

8

You're not in hospital for a social event or to make friends with patients, you're supposed to be separate. As neutral an appearance as possible is part of that. It doesn't mean that you should dress like an absolute robot or not make some connection with patients but to me, if the patient wanted a drinking buddy, a best friend or a relationship they'd get one of those. As it is, they've gone to see a doctor and you need to act like one.

Reply 7

A Stranger in Moscow

12

My doc has a nose piercing, and it made me more comfortable with her, cos she seemed more real and made her look younger.
Males with piercings however, maybe not, but I'm not here to judge, really.

Reply 8

shorty.loves.angels

16

I agree with AEH. Piercings are about changing your appearance, making a statement perhaps and doctors aren't supposed to stand out from one another or look different. Personally it doesn't bother me (I have my lower lip pierced and I have had many thoughts on studying medicine) but I can see how it would affect the thoughts of people who are against or even indifferent to piercings. If you know me you know I'm kind caring and all that jazz but if you saw my face when I'm not glammed' up without knowing me you'd probably think I'm more interested about how I look than how I act.

Reply 9

Toffee_Kid

15

In my opinion, professionals should dress like professionals at work, and I don't think eyebrow piercings are professional. It is within some people's cultures to pierce their noses, however I don't think they shuold be worn on duty.
Work is work at the end of it, nad if a piercing can be taken out whilst on duty then it should be, as gaining a patients trust is more important at work than expressing yourself and your individuality through 'unconventional' *as in post-1800's* piercings.

Reply 10

Thomas R

1

???? lol don't female physicians wear earrings whilst working?why can't guys then?plus doctors and and other medical personal that have actually gone to medical school say it is mostly ok but depends on what type you wear and dress code of the hospital as well as the age demographic but they suggest to remove them in an interview because of unconscious prejudice plus they are a lot easier to remove than other body modifications and can just be removed during work if required

Reply 11

becausethenight

19

This thread is 12 years old, so it has been closed :smile:

If you would like to continue the discussion, you can always make a new thread.

Doctors with Piercings

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