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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I will no longer disclose to these people what my profession is, unless I determine it’s pertinent to my treatment.

Will you lie? Or else what do you say when they say "so what do you do for work" - "I won't tell you, I don't feel it's pertinent to my treatment?" Because doctors tend to be insecure, you "talk back" like that and make them realize they shouldn't be asking and they hate you right off the bat so then good luck advocating if you need something that they think isn't necessary yet or whatever.

“I’m mostly retired” and you move on to another subject. They’re usually too hurried to engage in small talk.

If a doctor asks you what you do, it must be part of some relevant information gathering. I don’t think they ask small talk questions. They’re busy. Like there’s probably a slot on the form for “occupation” and it’s probably there in case you develop something weird and there’s a reason it’s relevant, because maybe it’s useful to know you have a desk job or a highly physical one. Like taking height or blood pressure. I don’t think they care on a personal level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I will no longer disclose to these people what my profession is, unless I determine it’s pertinent to my treatment.

Will you lie? Or else what do you say when they say "so what do you do for work" - "I won't tell you, I don't feel it's pertinent to my treatment?" Because doctors tend to be insecure, you "talk back" like that and make them realize they shouldn't be asking and they hate you right off the bat so then good luck advocating if you need something that they think isn't necessary yet or whatever.

DP. I don’t lie. I say “I sit on my butt the whole day in front of a computer - is that what you are trying to get to?”

[Anonymous]

I have never thought about this. But I am white and thin(ish) and UMC so maybe that’s why.

[Anonymous]

This is such a depressing thread. Now I’m thinking back to some of my doctors’ visits, and things make much more sense.

[Middle-aged Black woman]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be interested in hearing from providers, but it seems natural to adjust your language based on the patient's knowledge and education. A friend who's the son of a doctor told the story of running into an ER with his child in the middle of the night wearing a cutoff tshirt. The doc started explaining extremely basic facts (on the level of "the lungs help you breathe") until the dad started talking, demonstrating that he knew more medicine than 99 percent of patients.

This is going to vary based on the doctor. You would hope the professionalism would extend to all, but the research says otherwise. I'll also never forget that one of the women I trained with would comment on people who didn't "dress up" appropriately for the visit; e.g., wearing sneakers and jeans instead of something more dressy.


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962212012443

She must have had a mother like mine. We had to be spotless and shower no matter how sick we felt. But Jeans and sneakers are pretty basic for every age and ethnicity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such a depressing thread. Now I’m thinking back to some of my doctors’ visits, and things make much more sense.

[Middle-aged Black woman]

I'm so sorry for this. I hope it changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be interested in hearing from providers, but it seems natural to adjust your language based on the patient's knowledge and education. A friend who's the son of a doctor told the story of running into an ER with his child in the middle of the night wearing a cutoff tshirt. The doc started explaining extremely basic facts (on the level of "the lungs help you breathe") until the dad started talking, demonstrating that he knew more medicine than 99 percent of patients.

This is going to vary based on the doctor. You would hope the professionalism would extend to all, but the research says otherwise. I'll also never forget that one of the women I trained with would comment on people who didn't "dress up" appropriately for the visit; e.g., wearing sneakers and jeans instead of something more dressy.


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962212012443

She must have had a mother like mine. We had to be spotless and shower no matter how sick we felt. But Jeans and sneakers are pretty basic for every age and ethnicity.

This was a physician whose training was primarily in Eastern Europe. She was a technically good doctor but very formal in presentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I will no longer disclose to these people what my profession is, unless I determine it’s pertinent to my treatment.

I work with med students. One of the things they are taught (and then tested on) is to get the occupation of the patient. It's supposed to be in their history-taking. For better or for worse, they are literally taught this.

[Anonymous]

I once had an oral surgeon be so incredibly rude and unprofessional (he was recommending an aggressive which meant expensive snd highly unpleasant surgery) and I was open to that but asked very politely “okay, so it’s not an option to [less agressive approach involving re-eval in 3 months]” and he interrupted and flew off the handle.

When I could chime in again I said “because my brother is an oral surgeon in Boston and he suggested I ask” snd it was like the guy had been smacked in the face. His demeanor changed completely and he was weird snd ingratiating. It was honestly embarrassing.

In thinking abt it I wondered if it was because I was dressed much more casually than usual-I can’t believe he treats everyone like that!

[Anonymous]

I look brown/olive skin and have noticed that if I wear something from my college (Berkeley) or drop that I went there I get better treatment. A dermatologist was being so rude and dismissive to me and I noticed he was wearing a tie that had a small Cal [Berkeley] logo. I said "Go Bears" and he paused and looked puzzled. He asked what I said and I repeated it and said the year I graduated. He said "oh wow I wasn't sure how well you spoke English, I didn't realize you also went to Cal". Then it was like he was my best friend, giving me samples, moving up another appointment, etc.

I feel ridiculous but sometimes I make sure I use a sentence when meeting the doctor that contains more advanced vocabulary such as instead of saying "I should have come in sooner to get this checked out", I intentionally will say " I was remiss in.." And while I am waiting I have my phone out playing wordle and as the doctor comes in and says hi I say "hi, just finishing up today's wordle".

[Anonymous]

I had a doctor not recommend to me the top of the line treatment option. I later found out that there was a widely accepted, better (more expensive option) for the treatment I received. I don't know why, except they thought I couldn't afford it.

Now I may not dress up for doctor's appointments and I may save in other ways, but we definitely will splurge on more comfortable medical treatments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. I always dress professionally or wear casual clothes like Patagonia or my college sweatshirt like a PP mentioned. I don’t go overboard as that can also backfire.

Doctors are just people, and people are judgmental. I don’t take chances. Unrelated, but Being Mortal is a book everyone should read. Talks a lot about how doctors are uncomfortable with death and conversations around that, just like us. Same goes for superficial assumptions and judgments.

Patagonia? Wow, they must have been so impressed you got two lollipops! Lucky you.

My father only had a few weeks to live and he told me the conversation he had with one of the oncologists at the hospital made a huge impact on him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I look brown/olive skin and have noticed that if I wear something from my college (Berkeley) or drop that I went there I get better treatment. A dermatologist was being so rude and dismissive to me and I noticed he was wearing a tie that had a small Cal [Berkeley] logo. I said "Go Bears" and he paused and looked puzzled. He asked what I said and I repeated it and said the year I graduated. He said "oh wow I wasn't sure how well you spoke English, I didn't realize you also went to Cal". Then it was like he was my best friend, giving me samples, moving up another appointment, etc.

I feel ridiculous but sometimes I make sure I use a sentence when meeting the doctor that contains more advanced vocabulary such as instead of saying "I should have come in sooner to get this checked out", I intentionally will say " I was remiss in.." And while I am waiting I have my phone out playing wordle and as the doctor comes in and says hi I say "hi, just finishing up today's wordle".

Jesus. I 100% don't blame you but I don't think white thin UMC women understand how many hoops non white women - even thin and UMC - need to jump thru to get the same behavior and treatment. Like I'm here bc I effing need something, I don't care if you think Berkeley is impressive or not or whether you think "remiss" is advanced vocab or whether you think only smart people play wordle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I will no longer disclose to these people what my profession is, unless I determine it’s pertinent to my treatment.

I work with med students. One of the things they are taught (and then tested on) is to get the occupation of the patient. It's supposed to be in their history-taking. For better or for worse, they are literally taught this.

Sure! But why exactly, especially if it’s not physical labor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I will no longer disclose to these people what my profession is, unless I determine it’s pertinent to my treatment.

I work with med students. One of the things they are taught (and then tested on) is to get the occupation of the patient. It's supposed to be in their history-taking. For better or for worse, they are literally taught this.

Sure! But why exactly, especially if it’s not physical labor?

There are lots of risk differences beyond straight up physical labor. There are big differences in ore term labor by work environment, for example. Also, there is something to be said for knowing your patient a bit (and having them feel known.)