Dress code for shadowing?

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osumc2014

osumc2014

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It's been a while since I shadowed, forgot what I wore last time. I am shadowing a infectious disease physician at the local children's hospital. What should be the dress code? Shirt and tie and black pants?
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khakis, nice shoes, and a button down.

no need for tie or black pants. look presentable, but overdo it.
 
redrower said:
khakis, nice shoes, and a button down.

no need for tie or black pants. look presentable, but overdo it.
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really no tie? I thought physicians all wore ties when they round
 
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I think a shirt, tie and black pants are good. Better to be over dressed than under dressed, and I don't think you'll feel over dressed in this. I think khakis are okay, but I would suggest a tie. Several physicians I have shadowed have worn ties.

Why don't you talk to a receptionist and see what premeds usually wear. Some doctors insist on suits, but I'm sure you would have already been told that if they do.
 
ask the doctor you're going to be shadowing. i wear nice jeans, dress shoes, and a button down long sleeve shirt. they recommended i wear this.
 
A thong, flip-flops and a white tee....No but in all seriousness, slacks, polo, and some kick ass dress shoes..oh and don't forget the dress belt
 
osumc2014 said:
really no tie? I thought physicians all wore ties when they round
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If you have a tie available, wear one. It can't hurt. My personal standard was just to dress the way the physician dressed, which usually was a dress shirt, tie, slacks, and nice shoes.
 
wear a tie, jeez. I didn't my first day and the doctor I was shadowing said next time I had to wear a tie because it looks more professional.
 
Look professional enough to match your environment. You don't want the patient to think you are a vagrant or something.
 
Funny... i worked for a bigwig head of department in a big hospital the last two summers. I went in with Jeans, sneakers, and a T-shirt lol (the guy liked me a lot though because I got a lot of work done for him) On days where i finished up early, I shadowed instead of going home in the jeans and whatnot. It WAS appropriate wearing crap though, because in my case shadowing meant changing into scrubs anyway, so it didn't matter. So if you're gonna be mostly in surgery, it doesn't matter what you walk in with. If you are just following all day. I feel a tie is too much. But look professional cause his patients will see you too! (and I don't think I would want some kid in a T-shirt knowing my medical issues.
 
I'm shadowing an surgeon. His attire is a shirt and tie with dress pants and black shoes.

A good rule of thumb: It's better to overdress than to underdress.
 
the doctor I shadow wore a Buc-ees t-shirt last time I went in. If you know what this is you are blessed.
 
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start off with a shirt, tie, slacks, nice belt, and nice shoes. see if the tie is necessary. adjust from there...the tie is really the only optional thing.
 
Wear the best you can without a suit. I go with cufflinked shirt, dress pants shoe, tie clasp (this is super important if you wear tie, you dont want it to touch everywhere), and collar bar. I do this because I think the patients will be more at ease than if I am in saddles and tshirt.
 
Who in their right mind would wear a dress shirt but no tie? You look like a schmuck doing that. Even on days when I know I'm going to spend 90% of my time in the OR, I'll wear a tie (until the scrubs come on). Most physicians I've shadowed show a noticeable appreciation for it.
 
Kids kids kids. A tie is NOT optional. Wear it. Respect it. If for some reason he's not, he'll say "you don't have to wear that silly tie" and have you take it off. This is much better than "why aren't you wearing a tie?"

If you really want to impress an ID doc, wear a bowtie and tell him you wore it because it has less chance of becoming a dangerous foamite.
 
SnarkyMD said:
Kids kids kids. A tie is NOT optional. Wear it. Respect it. If for some reason he's not, he'll say "you don't have to wear that silly tie" and have you take it off. This is much better than "why aren't you wearing a tie?"

If you really want to impress an ID doc, wear a bowtie and tell him you wore it because it has less chance of becoming a dangerous foamite.
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Hahaha yesss! I'm gonna go with the tie
 
god i hate people who cant think for themselves. you really think a tie is necessary in a small private practice where one female doc wears a coat over a ****ty dress and a male doc wears a crappy maroon plaid shirt?

half of the deal is looking good yourself. im guessing you guys arent very good looking, otherwise you wouldnt have these kinds of problems.

obviously a tie is needed in some situations, but to always wear one is silly and annoying.
 
ReptarBar said:
god i hate people who cant think for themselves. you really think a tie is necessary in a small private practice where one female doc wears a coat over a ****ty dress and a male doc wears a crappy maroon plaid shirt?

half of the deal is looking good yourself. im guessing you guys arent very good looking, otherwise you wouldnt have these kinds of problems.

obviously a tie is needed in some situations, but to always wear one is silly and annoying.
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you obviously don't know what it means to look professional.
 
I didn't know what to wear when I first started shadowing. I just wore khaki pants with a nice polo shirt. Don't overthink what to wear, because you are just shadowing, you're not actually going to be dealing with anyone directly. People aren't really going to be judging you, so don't overdo it. You're a shadow, so you're not supposed stand out, wearing a tie and super nice clothes will make you stand out.
 
ReptarBar said:
god i hate people who cant think for themselves. you really think a tie is necessary in a small private practice where one female doc wears a coat over a ****ty dress and a male doc wears a crappy maroon plaid shirt?

half of the deal is looking good yourself. im guessing you guys arent very good looking, otherwise you wouldnt have these kinds of problems.

obviously a tie is needed in some situations, but to always wear one is silly and annoying.
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If the clinic you shadow in happens to be located within a barn, don't wear a tie. Otherwise, wearing one is never considered silly, annoying, or obnoxious.
 
Being overdressed is always better than being underdressed, a shirt and tie will make you look more professional to the patients who are already worried,its more comforting to them
 
ReptarBar said:
god i hate people who cant think for themselves. you really think a tie is necessary in a small private practice where one female doc wears a coat over a ****ty dress and a male doc wears a crappy maroon plaid shirt?

half of the deal is looking good yourself. im guessing you guys arent very good looking, otherwise you wouldnt have these kinds of problems.

obviously a tie is needed in some situations, but to always wear one is silly and annoying.
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No, it's actually not. This doctor is doing you a favor by letting you shadow. The least you can do is show that you appreciate this favor and respect the doctor and their patients by wearing a tie, regardless of what the doctors wear.

I'd say to always wear one unless told otherwise.
 
I hate ties. I wouldn't wear one unless the doctor you're shadowing personally requests it.
 
I think what the ultimate message to take away from all these responses is to dress professionally unless directed otherwise. All the shadowing I've done has come after considerable contact with the physician to the point where I am on a first name basis with him, go out to dinners/lunches, and engage in casual conversation. At this point, you should be comfortable asking him what he would like to see you wear when you go in to shadow him.

Currently shadowing my best friend's dad 3-4 times a week, and typically go in with sneakers, shorts, and a tshirt, change into scrubs and don those HEINOUS lead vests/skirts you have to wear in the cath lab.

Try to get to know your physician before shadowing him so you can ask him about this stuff...he'll let you know what he wants.

PS: once when I was shadowing, I saw another premed come in for the day to shadow another doc; he was wearing a tuxedo. I'd say thats a TAD overboard...but thats my opinion =P
 
redrower said:
PS: once when I was shadowing, I saw another premed come in for the day to shadow another doc; he was wearing a tuxedo. I'd say thats a TAD overboard...but thats my opinion =P
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What a TOOL!!!
 
redrower said:
PS: once when I was shadowing, I saw another premed come in for the day to shadow another doc; he was wearing a tuxedo. I'd say thats a TAD overboard...but thats my opinion =P
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If I were the attending I'd get a pretty good laugh at that and tell him to keep it up
 
LOL!~

Girls seem so under-represented in this thread

As a girl, in the OR... I wear whatever. No one ever sees it. I asked the surgeon I shadow and he said: Jeans and a nice blouse for after surgery during rounds.

When I shadow him in the clinic, I wear a dress during the summer and jeans and a nice shirt (per his request) in the winter. It shows I'm still a student but I'm interested in learning. I feel it also makes the patients more comfortable to have the student in less professional garb. I've gotten quite a few compliments about my clothing and none of them think its weird that I'm not in like, a suit.

My two cents 🙂
 
I shadowed last year. I recommend that people wear business casual at minimum... though in some cases more formal professional attire would be appropriate. By business casual, I am still referring to a nice dress shirt/blouse and slacks and dressy shoes (the kind you'd wear to a business meeting, not to a party). No crazy heels or platforms! No gym shoes/sneakers or thong slippers! No jeans! Unless the doc specifically asks you to wear jeans (which would be very rare), I wouldn't even consider it. If your ankles or legs show at all (be conservative), then wear neutral-colored hose (for women) or dress socks (for men). You are there to learn, as well as make a favorable impression... don't screw that up. Many of these folks may be writing your letters of recommendation.
 
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osumc2014 said:
If I were the attending I'd get a pretty good laugh at that and tell him to keep it up
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He'd be broke so fast.


And to answer yoru question - yes, wear a tie. The physician will then let you know if you do have to wear one or not. Would you go to a job interview in t-shirt and jeans? It's just like that.
 
Kaustikos said:
He'd be broke so fast.


And to answer yoru question - yes, wear a tie. The physician will then let you know if you do have to wear one or not. Would you go to a job interview in t-shirt and jeans? It's just like that.
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Just so you guys know I did wear a tie, everyone on the service seemed to have worn a tie and at least khakis and nice shoes. Thanks
 
OP, I would ask the doc directly about it. First time I met the dude I'm about to shadow - he casually and indirectly mentioned that I should wear a tie when I shadow him. And it was good because I hadn't started yet, he was just telling me for the first day. That avoids all awkwardness since he already told me - which was nice of him.

BTW - I'm about to shadow this Urologist. Does anyone think that's weird? He does mostly kidney-stone stuff, no prostates anymore. Every time I tell a MS1 or MS2 friend about this they look at me funny.
 
musings said:
LOL!~

Girls seem so under-represented in this thread

As a girl, in the OR... I wear whatever. No one ever sees it. I asked the surgeon I shadow and he said: Jeans and a nice blouse for after surgery during rounds.

When I shadow him in the clinic, I wear a dress during the summer and jeans and a nice shirt (per his request) in the winter. It shows I'm still a student but I'm interested in learning. I feel it also makes the patients more comfortable to have the student in less professional garb. I've gotten quite a few compliments about my clothing and none of them think its weird that I'm not in like, a suit.

My two cents 🙂
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seriously when i started shadowing i searched the site for what girls should wear and came up with zip. (lots about interviews, though)

i always wear pants. khakis, polo (either button down or otherwise). never have more than 1 or 2 buttons undone. one doc (friend/mentor status) told me "no skin btwn neck and knees". i've never even thought twice about wearing a dress...i wear them all the time in day to day life but don't feel it would be appropriate to show my legs in the ER, ICU, clinic and various other acronym'd places.

ps i COMPLETELY agree with the one guy who said "you are supposed to be a shadow...not stand out" or something.

ALSO minimum makeup, ladies. nothing looks more ridiculous than the nurses, techs, and other women (i have yet to see a dr like this) that look like they're going out to dinner/dancing. i actually saw one nurse putting on mascara out in the open. seriously...this isn't the time nor the place for vanity.

i'm not sayin to look like eliot from scrubs when she stopped putting effort in...if you want to wear just foundation, eyeliner, mascara, that's fine. look natural and classy, bottom line. neat hair, pulled back if you look like adriana lima when it's down. this isn't the time to be hot. it's not really a compliment in this situation if you get people staring at you for your great looks. the patient is number 1.
(also, i mean, in the future we'd all do better to keep this stuff in mind...we want people to focus on our brains)
 
Food said:
BTW - I'm about to shadow this Urologist. Does anyone think that's weird? He does mostly kidney-stone stuff, no prostates anymore. Every time I tell a MS1 or MS2 friend about this they look at me funny.
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why would that be weird? Urology is a great field, just a shame you aren't going to get to see any prostate stuff, it's a huge part of the field and that's were a some of the coolest surgeries are (including those that use the Da Vinci robot).
 
mM.. I still say ask the physician you are shadowing.

When I interned at a private practice, I was wearing business suits and slacks every day. The hospital honestly seems more laid back where I work.
 
shirt, tie, pants (NOT jeans), and my physician told me to bring my whitecoat
it all depends tho where/what you're doing
 
musings said:
LOL!~

Girls seem so under-represented in this thread

As a girl, in the OR... I wear whatever. No one ever sees it. I asked the surgeon I shadow and he said: Jeans and a nice blouse for after surgery during rounds.

When I shadow him in the clinic, I wear a dress during the summer and jeans and a nice shirt (per his request) in the winter. It shows I'm still a student but I'm interested in learning. I feel it also makes the patients more comfortable to have the student in less professional garb. I've gotten quite a few compliments about my clothing and none of them think its weird that I'm not in like, a suit.

My two cents 🙂
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wow I was thinking the same thing...where are the ladys at?? Thanks
for this as I will soon be shadowing for the first time and was thinking about this issue
 
Trying to figure out what to wear is stressing me out more than the shadowing itself. This is ridiculous. I couldn't tell what the consensus was on dresses. Yay or nay?
 
depends on how casual..last time I shadowed the doc said I had to wear a white coat...so I just put on my lab coat lol
 
By all the comments above, there appears to be different rules for different situations. Before I started shadowing I visited the hospital where I was to shadow and observed what everyone else was wearing.
Started my shadowing and the doctor commented that usually he has to ask the student to look around and see if he/she notices anything different between themselve and everyone else. He then sends them home to try again.
So, don't stress, just copy and fit in
 
I wear nice khaki pants, nice shoes, and a polo (tucked in, sometimes not). no one has said anything to me other wise or looked at me weird. I think it looks very presentable. It gives the persona of a student rather than a resident, which can be a good or a bad thing I guess. I honestly don't even own a tie or a nice dress shirt.
I guess i'd rather play it safe though, i mean you will never look out of place wearing a tie so just go for it. Just look presentable.

also I don't think its too informal to ask at all, I almost always ask. When you are talking to him and emailing him, mention it as an FYI.
 
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mfrick said:
By all the comments above, there appears to be different rules for different situations. Before I started shadowing I visited the hospital where I was to shadow and observed what everyone else was wearing.
Started my shadowing and the doctor commented that usually he has to ask the student to look around and see if he/she notices anything different between themselve and everyone else. He then sends them home to try again.
So, don't stress, just copy and fit in
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yea exactly everyone is like OMG YOU MUST WEAR A TIE! the first day i usually wear dress shirt, tie, etc but then i get rid of the tie if possible after observing the general dress code.
 
I start shadowing next week and they told me to wear a lab coat with nice slacks and a nice polo. That's about it.

On a side note, I'm a bit nervous about my first time shadowing because it seems like you would just be in the way of the doctors' work. But I guess they have gotten used to it after many students have followed them around...
 
LetsGo352 said:
I start shadowing next week and they told me to wear a lab coat with nice slacks and a nice polo. That's about it.

On a side note, I'm a bit nervous about my first time shadowing because it seems like you would just be in the way of the doctors' work. But I guess they have gotten used to it after many students have followed them around...
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I do remember now when I shadowed a doc I wore a lab coat as a suggestion but got made fun of (jokingly but still) because we have to earn the long coat (symbol of md)
 
amberkas11309 said:
Is it bad to ask how much they make while shadowing?
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Depends on how well you know the guy. I don't think you should ask how much they make unless the doc is a close family friend / family member, or really super cool. I did ask a doc whether he was satisfied with the compensation for the amount of work he was doing. He's in academic medicine and started out as an Assistant Prof, so he is salaried. But to ask a private practice doctor you barely know about his earnings is a bit out of line.
 
I'm starting a new shadowing job with a family medicine physician in a medical center. As a girl, I was thinking of wearing black pants, a button up blouse, and either flats or simple close-toed heels (like interview shoes). Does that sound alright?
 
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