Do Physicians judge patients based on what they wear? Designer Bags? Casual Clothing?

[Anonymous]

Im a healthcare lawyer (and a woman). I’ve deposed tons and tons of lawyers. I never tell doctors what i do for a living. But whenever I see a doc, typically, a specialist who I think is being dismissive of me- that’s the last time I’ll ever spend a second in their office. Too many doctors to waste my time.

[Anonymous]

Old thread but we’ve talked adults but do pediatricians judge what the children are wearing at appointments?

[Anonymous]

They do write things like "well-groomed" (have seen it in my visit notes!) so I am sure it matters to some extent. I always dress normally but put together, same every time I leave the house really.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. Just like any profession, there are judgy physicians and incompetent physicians, and WAY too many of them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a female doctor, I don't pay much attention to the designer status of clothing worn or bag toted. I would note if they were neatly dressed and groomed or disheveled.

Groomed like clean and neat or like she's not wearing make up so she's not groomed enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being a fat woman at the doctor is the worst thing you can possibly be. Especially if you try to talk about something other than your weight.

I’m fat and avoid the doctor because of this. They assume I’m lazy, dumb, and poor because of my weight.

+1000 This has been my experience too. It's awful.

Please don't avoid the doctor for this. My mom (who was just borderline overweight at age 63) avoided the doctor for years, and I am fairly confident that weight was the reason and she didn't want to step on the scale. Her breast cancer was discovered by her dermatologist. Fortunately mammograms don't require a doctor's order anymore, but that wasn't the case 20 years ago.

"Fortunately mammograms don't require a doctor's order anymore"
since when?

[Anonymous]

God this thread is depressing.

It's so hard to get good medical care around here. So many bad doctors and few far between good, caring doctors.

I have been avoiding doctors more recently and the medical community can judge all they want but since covid they are no longer protecting patience in my opinion anymore along with the judging and the old dated information they provide you with. It's a shame a lot of us on here are staying away. Getting medical care should not give us more stress and anxiety, doctors are supposed to be of service for you, to help you. You literally pay for their service to you. Sad state of affairs for all of us these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being a fat woman at the doctor is the worst thing you can possibly be. Especially if you try to talk about something other than your weight.

I’m fat and avoid the doctor because of this. They assume I’m lazy, dumb, and poor because of my weight.

+1000 This has been my experience too. It's awful.

Please don't avoid the doctor for this. My mom (who was just borderline overweight at age 63) avoided the doctor for years, and I am fairly confident that weight was the reason and she didn't want to step on the scale. Her breast cancer was discovered by her dermatologist. Fortunately mammograms don't require a doctor's order anymore, but that wasn't the case 20 years ago.

"Fortunately mammograms don't require a doctor's order anymore"
since when?

You can get them but need to pay out of pocket (no insurance) which isn’t affordable for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Based on your address and occupantion, they do treat you differently by charging you more

[Anonymous]

Of course they do. I always look presentable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on your address and occupantion, they do treat you differently by charging you more

Yeah, why do they need to know my occupation?

[Anonymous]

As a physician, during COVID I had female patients wear facemarks that matched their lingerie.

I find it amusing when patients wear lingerie befit for a sexy night out. Lacy bra and panty sets aren't common everyday wear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a female doctor, I don't pay much attention to the designer status of clothing worn or bag toted. I would note if they were neatly dressed and groomed or disheveled.

Groomed like clean and neat or like she's not wearing make up so she's not groomed enough?

Groomed like clean and not unkempt. It can be informative re: how a patient is functioning. (Are they saying all is okay but they have a mid-buttoned shirt and very tangled hair?) this can be especially helpful for patients a doctor knows well-like an always neat as a pin lady who comes in in stained sweatpants and unwashed hair gets a doctors attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. The doctors might not admit it outright, but they do treat you differently based on what they assume about your socioeconomic status.

So, casual clothing is fine, but it better be from Patagonia, not Walmart.

First paragraph is 100% correct. Cops do the same thing, as do most other professionals you hire. They need to know if you look like someone who can afford to sue them for any “mishaps”. Of course this doesn’t nessasarily apply to all of them.

There are people with loads of $ but dress very simply or even outright like someone without loads of $. Sometimes just to throw people off. Those are the best kinds, judge away, fools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Old thread but we’ve talked adults but do pediatricians judge what the children are wearing at appointments?

Ped here and I don’t judge clothing at all. What I do find frustrating is parents who can’t look up from their phone to answer my history questions about an illness or developmental questions at a check up because they’re too busy scrolling instagram or TikTok with the sound full blast.

One thing I notice is fingernails—long, dirty nails on kids sometimes clues me to ask how the family feels things are going, to ask if the parent feels overwhelmed, that sort of thing.