Poll: How well dressed do you want your family doctor?

[WolfThomas]

So I was having a discussion with my girlfriend about what clothing a General Practitioner (or Family Physician) should wear while seeing patients.

I maintained that formal dress, suit pants and a shirt at the least, and preferably sports coat/suit jacket and/or tie should be worn. I believe that having a professional looking doctor gives a placebo effect much like a sugar pill or saline injection might, that you'd feel like something was being done. She however thought that was too formal and created a barrier to rapport building, that a GP should wear something more casual, not jeans and a t-shirt, but that chinos, desert boots and nice polos were preferable to present a friendly approachable demeanor.

In my example I focused more on male doctors, but I feel the same is important with female doctors, that clothing be on the more formal side than casual.

What do you think Escapists?

 

[Rawne1980]

I prefer a more casual look in my GP.

Mainly because I think he'd look like a tit in a suit.

If i'm going to be talking about personal problems then I prefer a less "business" feel to it.

 

[Eleuthera]

Neat-Casual, I have enough problems talking authority figures as is. If they start dressing up I'll never get around to telling them what's wrong. I'll just end up mumbling "Nah, it's ok, I'm fine" and leaving.

 

[Esotera]

It really doesn't matter as long as their dress isn't going to get in the way of their work, or be unhygenic or anything like that. A GP actually being nice & listening to the patient is going to have a far greater effect on their wellbeing than what they wear.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Because the first thing I think of when a doctor is inspecting my testicles, is how well dressed they are

That way, I feel a bit more classy, and less...

Dirty.

 

[Strazdas]

Dont care. People shouldnt be about clothes.

 

[Antitonic]

I think I'd prefer them to look like they've just started to relax after wearing business style. Loose tie/collar, rolled up sleeves, that sort of thing.

 

[Zhadramekel]

I think I'd prefer them to be dressed casual, it'd probably make them a bit easier to talk to. But obviously not so casual that they look scruffy / unprofessional.

 

[sky14kemea]

As long as they wear the white coat, I'm happy. =P

...And as long as they give me a lollipop '^'

 

[bobmus]

White coats should never be worn by anyone in a medical profession really.
Anyway, my pick would be shirt, no tie, and suit trousers. It says professional without saying impractical.
It's the look worn by almost all doctors I've known in the UK anyway, as someone who did hospital work experience for a year with a view to becoming one.

 

[Dags90]

Some khakis and a collared shirt. Absolutely NO neckties. Ties aren't cleaned very often and are a good source of transference contamination between patients.

 

[DoPo]

As long as they wear the white coat, I'm happy. =P

...And as long as they give me a lollipop '^'

"You do not bring me lollipops? Begone! I do not want your healing."

OT: meh, what do I care. Casual clothes work good enough - why would I want them to dress up for me? We're not having a board meeting or anything. Besides, I've known my GP for..well, 20 years now. Or maybe 19. At any rate, I'd feel like a dick if I insist her to wear formal suits for me.

 

[wintercoat]

I prefer business casual. Long-sleeve shirt, slacks, loafers at the least. Tie optional. No sneakers. If he or she is dressed too casually, it just feels weird. If they're dressed too formally, it feels even weirder.

 

[OneCatch]

So I was having a discussion with my girlfriend about what clothing a General Practitioner (or Family Physician) should wear while seeing patients.
What do you think Escapists?

I demand that my doctors are naked. It's all about reciprocity. Why should I get my arse out if they aren't?

 

[Scarim Coral]

Don't care just as long he/ she is a professional and doing their job correctly. I think it's quite judgemental if you assume the doctor to be less qualify just because he/ she is wearing regular clothing.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I'm okay with neat casual. They are busy enough without having to press suits...

Mind you it took my GP 20 years to figure out what was wrong with me and that was only after I demanded to be referred to the hospital...so maybe I'm not the best person to ask -.-