Behaving like a Doctor?

[pre-dentalguy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey guys, I was in another forum and read this thread about behaving like a doctor and thought that it should have gotten more attention than only 4-7 replies. So now, I'm posting it here. Here what was written:


I woke up today and figured it's time to start behaving like a doctor. I've always dressed well and looked professional but am still a bit of a jokester. I'm a little irreverent, sarcastic, and at times inappropriate. I really like who I am and so do my friends but I'd like to portray a little different image once I'm a DMD.

So, should I turn off my colorful personality and be more "doctor-like" (austere, serious, reverent, always appropriate) or should I just be who I naturally am.

I like me but I don't want other professionals and patients to think I'm less than 100% serious and dedicated to my work.

So, should a doctor be doctor-like or his natual self?

 

[Maroon]

Hey guys, I was in another forum and read this thread about behaving like a doctor and thought that it should have gotten more attention than only 4-7 replies. So now, I'm posting it here. Here what was written:


I woke up today and figured it's time to start behaving like a doctor. I've always dressed well and looked professional but am still a bit of a jokester. I'm a little irreverent, sarcastic, and at times inappropriate. I really like who I am and so do my friends but I'd like to portray a little different image once I'm a DMD.

So, should I turn off my colorful personality and be more "doctor-like" (austere, serious, reverent, always appropriate) or should I just be who I naturally am.

I like me but I don't want other professionals and patients to think I'm less than 100% serious and dedicated to my work.

So, should a doctor be doctor-like or his natual self?

I think a little bit of both. You want to maintain a balance between professionalism and uniqueness in your approach towards treating patients.

Patients do expect you to work at a different level than them (since obviously you know more about teeth than they do), but being too strict and cold can turn them away. Or on the flip side, being too casual may make them think that you don't really have the expertise to perform your job.

 

[lgreen_aci]

There will times when it you need to "act like a doctor" and other times when you can just be yourself. I seriously hope that there is no need to "act like a doctor" though, and rather that you will just be a doctor.

You will be professional in how you dress, how you run your office and staff, how you are organized, how you perform your work, and how you interact with your patients.

You should not be affraid to be yourself though when it comes to dealing with people. Don't be affraid to pop a joke, talk about something silly, or do whatever you naturally do. Being fake is obvious and a huge turnoff. I'd rather go to a dentist that is a complete sarcastic goofball like myself, rather than somet tightwad dentist who thinks he/she needs to be all professional and doesn't entertain me during my visit.

If you are a sarcastic inappropriate goofball like me, I really think that is a gift and you should learn to channel it in a way that you can use it to comfort and connect with your patients.

Just the other day I was jobshadowing and getting a filling (my first....cry) and while I was laying their with my mouth open the dentist, who I think is awesome by the way, starts talking with his assistant about taking a poop in a fancy restraunt. It was hillarious.

And to be honest, that is one reason I get along with dentists so much better than MDs. Most dentists I know are very lose, laid back, sarcastic, funny, and actually good at dealing with people. I can sit and BS around with a dentist all day.

Just be a doctor and be yourself. No need to ever "act like a doctor".

And as far as "acting like a doctor" don't do it. I thought it was time to start acting like a doctor at one point too. I started wearing dress clothes to school and thinking I was all high and mighty. Rather I just looked like a dork and really didn't feel any different, while everyone else in undergrad showed up wearing jeans/sweats/what ever clean shirt they could find. You find out quickly it just makes you feel arrogant. Being yourself will always feel good though and gain the respect and attention of others in a more true way.

 

[armorshell]

There's a huge difference between being a professional and "acting like a doctor"

 

[pre-dentalguy]

There will times when it you need to "act like a doctor" and other times when you can just be yourself. I seriously hope that there is no need to "act like a doctor" though, and rather that you will just be a doctor.

You will be professional in how you dress, how you run your office and staff, how you are organized, how you perform your work, and how you interact with your patients.

You should not be affraid to be yourself though when it comes to dealing with people. Don't be affraid to pop a joke, talk about something silly, or do whatever you naturally do. Being fake is obvious and a huge turnoff. I'd rather go to a dentist that is a complete sarcastic goofball like myself, rather than somet tightwad dentist who thinks he/she needs to be all professional and doesn't entertain me during my visit.

If you are a sarcastic inappropriate goofball like me, I really think that is a gift and you should learn to channel it in a way that you can use it to comfort and connect with your patients.

Just the other day I was jobshadowing and getting a filling (my first....cry) and while I was laying their with my mouth open the dentist, who I think is awesome by the way, starts talking with his assistant about taking a poop in a fancy restraunt. It was hillarious.

And to be honest, that is one reason I get along with dentists so much better than MDs. Most dentists I know are very lose, laid back, sarcastic, funny, and actually good at dealing with people. I can sit and BS around with a dentist all day.

Just be a doctor and be yourself. No need to ever "act like a doctor".

And as far as "acting like a doctor" don't do it. I thought it was time to start acting like a doctor at one point too. I started wearing dress clothes to school and thinking I was all high and mighty. Rather I just looked like a dork and really didn't feel any different, while everyone else in undergrad showed up wearing jeans/sweats/what ever clean shirt they could find. You find out quickly it just makes you feel arrogant. Being yourself will always feel good though and gain the respect and attention of others in a more true way.

You've got a very valid point. I like your thoughts!! Very honest!! Thanks. i'm sure others can relate.

 

[JKH]

do what lots of people on here do... be serious, but be dumb on internet forums.

 

[lemoncurry]

LOL poop...



i've long held that part of maturity entails behaving in a manner appropriate to what the situation calls for. There is no reason to try and change your personality or sense of humor because you're going to be a doctor (of medicine, dentistry, philosophy, whatever). Simply behave proper to the situation. In a situation where a joke or otherwise irreverent comment would be inappropriate, then don't say it. If you're in a situation where a degree of casualness is expected, don't get all tight-assed.

There are a few brave people out there who are able to get away with a degree of irreverence in inappropriate situations, but those kinds of people who can truly pull it off without alienating everyone are few and far between. The best advice is to play it safe, trust your instincts and be yourself. If "yourself" still needs a bit of work analyzing and handling social situations, serious or otherwise, then maybe you should make a conscious effort to "act like a doctor" sometimes for good practice.


I'm going to be 30 next year. I've always considered 30 to be the age where you are officially and without question an adult. I'll be 30 when I start dental school. Yet, I don't feel the urge to trade in my jeans for khakis and my t-shirts for oxford cloth. I get my t-shirts from thinkgeek.com. I can't imagine myself, post DDS, going around everywhere in a suit or jacket. Doesn't mean I'll dress like a slob, but i'm not (God willing) going to go all stuffy just because I have alphabet soup after my name. I'm rambling now, so I'll stop. Just be yourself, be appropriate.

 

[1992Corolla]

stay yourself...i shadowed my uncle once and inbetween patients he goes to his office and rips all his farts out that he has been holding in front of his patients...😀

Be yourself.

 

[GiveMeDMD]

definitely quit any bad habits (smoking, drinking excessively) because your in the eye of the public, a fish bowl so to speak. and its bad for the profession because we urge patients to practice certain behaviours and if they see us do it, they will be less likely to comply. other than that, keep your personality, its what got you into school in the first place.

 

[LNinlove]

stay yourself...i shadowed my uncle once and inbetween patients he goes to his office and rips all his farts out that he has been holding in front of his patients...😀

Be yourself.

HAHAHA I always wondered why the dentist I shadow "disappears" between patients! He will go do a crossword puzzle or if he is in on Saturday, he will watch the big game in the break room. I can't wait to be a dentist!

To the OP, be yourself...it is what has gotten you to where you are so it must work.

 

[dizzle23x]

definitely quit any bad habits (smoking, drinking excessively) because your in the eye of the public, a fish bowl so to speak. and its bad for the profession because we urge patients to practice certain behaviours and if they see us do it, they will be less likely to comply. other than that, keep your personality, its what got you into school in the first place.

WHAT?? that's crazy talk

 

[StephL26]

I agree...definitely quit smoking...it's sort of contradicting your position as a dentist... I know a few dental students who are trying to quit. I hope my friends succeed, or else they won't have any patients left in the future. 😱

And when it's time, one will eventually take on their professional role. I think it's something that no one has to pretend or get used to...it'll eventually become a natural thing- especially when you're going to be exposed to other professionals in the future (how they dress, talk, behave at work, etc.)

I can't wait until I get into dental school and act like a real dentist... 😉

 

[daylily1985]

definitely quit any bad habits (smoking, drinking excessively) because your in the eye of the public, a fish bowl so to speak. and its bad for the profession because we urge patients to practice certain behaviours and if they see us do it, they will be less likely to comply. other than that, keep your personality, its what got you into school in the first place.

Uhh, that's not crazy talk. It doesn't matter if you are a construction worker, dentist or janitor...smoking and drinking excessively are ways of dealing with your life (stress in particular) that are not healthy. Would you really want one of your fellow students working on you after a binge at the bars the night before? And I don't care how many times you wash your hands, short of autoclaving them, they will still smell like cigarette smoke, especially to a nonsmoker.

Graduating with a professional degree doesn't mean you change your personality...it does mean you change your professional manner. Walk humbly, serve others, give generously. You can be just as professional in a tshirt and jeans as in a pair of khakis and oxford. It is all how you carry yourself and how you treat others.

 

[dizzle23x]

Uhh, that's not crazy talk. It doesn't matter if you are a construction worker, dentist or janitor...smoking and drinking excessively are ways of dealing with your life (stress in particular) that are not healthy. Would you really want one of your fellow students working on you after a binge at the bars the night before? And I don't care how many times you wash your hands, short of autoclaving them, they will still smell like cigarette smoke, especially to a nonsmoker.

Graduating with a professional degree doesn't mean you change your personality...it does mean you change your professional manner. Walk humbly, serve others, give generously. You can be just as professional in a tshirt and jeans as in a pair of khakis and oxford. It is all how you carry yourself and how you treat others.

i don't binge at bars...i drink at home by myself...

JUST KIDDING! i guess my sarcasm didn't exactly glow off of my last post

 

[daylily1985]

uh, now I get it.
I've weaned myself off chocolate binges in dark closets. I am a better person because of it.

 

[pre-dentalguy]

Seems everyone has great thoughts on this....

 

[DDSY]

Don't try to "doctor" your personality too much. Personally, I would rather go to a dentist with personality than someone who appears boring/too professional.