Doctors with tattoos

[minnako]

With regards to presentability, I can't remember who told me that medical students/junior doctors should remember to dress/look like their granny would expect them to. Whilst I don't think tattoos are a big deal (or that you should judge a book by its cover), I do think a lot of patients do have certain expectations of medical professionals, and that the less liberal among them might be negative towards staff with visible tattoos. It's not 'right' that people attach value judgements to the behaviour and appearance of others (as well as their race, sexuality, gender etc), but sadly we still attach meaning to how people dress and look when we assess their 'professionalism' as a society. I think the fact that as doctors we have to work extra hard to encourage patients to trust us makes it more against our interests to deviate from the rather narrow expectations.

Of course, there are plenty of places to put a tattoo which aren't usually visible... At the end of the day it's a personal decision to get something with personal meaning put on your skin for the forseeable future, and it's up to you to decide if it's for you.

I don't actually have one myself, and doubt I'll get one simply because I believe I would get bored of having the same thing on me for the rest of my life. I can see why they appeal to a lot of people, though, they can be very beautiful. From the discussions I've had with tattoo-loving friends, the advice I can come up with is that it's often a bad idea to choose to get a tattoo on the spur of the moment. The people I know who are happy with them are the ones who knew for ages that this was right for them and picked something with meaning for them.

Also, finding somewhere reputable to get it done is important, not just for hygeine reasons, but also because you probably want it to look like the picture you have in your head, not like a doodle by a 6 year old! People I know recommend looking at the tattooist's other work to see if they are capable of achieving the design you want. This will of course depend on how complex you want to go!

Also, If you want a tattoo in another language (eg Chinese or Japanese characters), be really sure what it actually means what you think it does. Get a native speaker to write or type it clearly for you. Don't just go with the ready-made designs in tattoists' as many mean something completely different or nothing at all because they are mangled beyond recognition (you HAVE to check out this site LOL Hanzi Smatter ????).

But don't let that put you off. A personal and well executed tattoo on someone who is sure they want one can be a beautiful thing.

[gimperial99]

Police are not allowed tattoos, neither should doctors be.

[Gizmo says -]

Kent Police website -

'Tattoos are not a bar to being accepted but their nature, size and location will be taken into account. For example, they must not be obscene, rude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, violent or intimidating. If you have tattoos on your face, neck, forearms or hands you need to declare it on your application form and describe their exact nature.'


you could always ignore that quote, mind. 'ead in the sand works wonders, i 'ear.

[trouble]

I think its all part of how u present youself. I have 2 tattoos, a small one on my wrist which is easily coverd by a watch (not that we are allowed them anymore) and people tend not to notice and one on my foot which isnt an issue.

I do however have dreadlocks. I am always aware of the problems this could cause and make it a point to dress in a way that makes my proffessionalism difficult to question. When I asked the medical school about it the dean told me there would be no problem as long as they are clean and neat which they absolutely always are.

No one has ever commented negitively on my appearance, but I have seen students with no peircings, tattoos or unconventional hair styles sent home from placement for their clothing, hair or general personal hygeine.

If you are going to do something which might set you out from the crowd before you even open your mouth make dam sure you are prepared for every ward round question/tutorial/ oral presentaion. People cant overtly mark you down for being a bit different but dont give them a reason to second guess you. It will either work well for you and people will remember you as a good student with a slightly unique look or you will be that uncommitted slacker who didnt make an effort. You decide not them!

[Button]

I have 2 tattoos (and hope to get more) they are both on my back. I also have some extra piercings in my ears and have only ever had medical staff make nice comments about them if they have happened to see them.

[couldntgetaname]

I would imagine the only two sensible concerns the medical gestapo could have are a) have you been cleared for infections and whatnot, and b) is the tattoo in a silly place [anywhere not covered by short sleeves or skirt/kilt/shorts/whateveryou'rehavingyourself].

Any agreements we've signed so far have stipulated that we need to be presentable at all times when we go on placement in a few months - idiotic sports jerseys and scruffy jeans are definitely out, nothing mentioned about full backpieces.

Personally I would see nothing wrong with a tattooed doctor, so long as their ink fits the criteria Gizmo posted earlier - nice big Japanese koi = fine, "BNP4EVA" = not fine.

If any HCP came near me as a patient with something idiotic like stencilled barbed wire or any of that moronic clipart tribal crap the teenagers pick up for free with their holiday chlamydia and I would seriously doubt their competence. In saying that, I'd feel the same about an ugly tie or badly fitting shirt [not that either of these will be around much longer if current trends continue].

If you are planning to get tattooed, make sure it's done well by someone who isn't just joining the dots. Consider popping in to see a relevant member of faculty for a chat, well before you go on placement, so that if any issue is raised later on it doesn't come as a shock.

No idea why I'm posting in this thread - supposed to be studying HCV for the day. I'll be going now.

[InternalOptimist]

Just trying to procrastinate like us all, but I agree - I have seen SHO surgeons with tattoos in surgery changing rooms - you just don't know normally if it is covered...

[br0k3ns0u1]

I'm in final year.... When I was 15 I stool my cousins ID and got a tattoo on my left arm. Its kind of huge! I wear a tubigrip over it but when someone asks I tell them the story.

They always laugh - it works to my advantage in a way.

Anyway, O'm getting it removed as soon as I qualify

[Dr Noodle]

I quite like tattoos. I was working with a nurse not long ago who had a couple of lovely ones on her forearms. However, I felt that they looked very unprofessional and probs would have been better if she had had them in a place covered by her uniform, considering her profession.

[Leo2004]

I guess whether you get grief for a tattoo which is visible depends on
the attitude of your seniors/patients.

I know a few med students and doctors who have visible tattoos and
have never seen them get any grief publically, at least...