Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Not at all. You should ask about the doctors' sexual habits, too. They love that kind of bonding.
-
The 2026-2027 MD School Specific Threads are now live in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 cycle threads can be found here. -
Scholarship Access: Becoming a Student Doctor course
Free access to comprehensive medical school prep. Eligible students include AAMC FAP recipients and HS graduates from underserved areas. Apply today.
Dress code for shadowing?
Started by osumc2014
I just wanted to sound in on the whole tie/no tie issue.
I think it is going to really make a difference on what kind of doc you are shadowing.
A doc told me that he does not wear a tie, because when he makes rounds, leaning over patients in beds, the tie tends to get on the handrails (where everyone else touches them throughout the day) thus spreading germs from patient to patient. Seemed like a very logical explanation to me.
However if you are shadowing a doc who isn't going to see a bunch of inpatients, then I cannot see a good reason to leave the tie out.
The one doc I shadowed was an inpatient doc at a rehab hospital, and I went tieless the first day, so did he and 75% of the other docs I saw there.
I think it is going to really make a difference on what kind of doc you are shadowing.
A doc told me that he does not wear a tie, because when he makes rounds, leaning over patients in beds, the tie tends to get on the handrails (where everyone else touches them throughout the day) thus spreading germs from patient to patient. Seemed like a very logical explanation to me.
However if you are shadowing a doc who isn't going to see a bunch of inpatients, then I cannot see a good reason to leave the tie out.
The one doc I shadowed was an inpatient doc at a rehab hospital, and I went tieless the first day, so did he and 75% of the other docs I saw there.
That sounds fine. I don't understand the jeans thing in the posts above. I think it's unprofessional. Same with open-toed shoes. I don't care about your new pedicure--keep your toes covered. Most of all, make sure the shoes are COMFORTABLE. You'll be surprised what just a couple of hours of standing only will do to your feet. Also make sure your heels aren't too loud when you walk. I wore this pair once and they made this sharp clacking noise, and it was hard to keep up. Doctors power-walk everywhere.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Agreed - choose your shoes carefully. Especially if you're going to be in the OR.
Who's bright idea was it to consider wearing a piece of cloth around your neck that hangs down as being "professional". I don't understand ties and I don't like them. I'll be volunteering at a doctor's office in khakis and a polo shirt and my new balance. I hate "dress" shoes. They are the most uncomfortable things to wear.
Last edited:
It just makes me feel sorry for the residents.
Bumping this thread after a few months.
I'm shadowing a physician and when I came to meet him I wore dress pants, a sweater, and close-toed heels. He said what I was wearing was fine. While I have a few dress pants/blouses, I was wondering, while I'm in the office (not the hospital), would it be ok to wear a blouse with a business skirt (like the kind in a skirt suit) and black pantyhose once in a while, assuming all my pants are in the wash or something? lol. Or is that too "fancy."
I'm shadowing a physician and when I came to meet him I wore dress pants, a sweater, and close-toed heels. He said what I was wearing was fine. While I have a few dress pants/blouses, I was wondering, while I'm in the office (not the hospital), would it be ok to wear a blouse with a business skirt (like the kind in a skirt suit) and black pantyhose once in a while, assuming all my pants are in the wash or something? lol. Or is that too "fancy."
Tie is overkill in my opinion. When I went to shadow an ophthalmologist, I wore a long sleeve shirt and black pants. Make sure you are crispy clean too 😉
tha doc was lookinn at heerrrr
She hit the floor. (Call the code!!)
I'm starting shadowing on Monday. Pretty much planning on wearing khakis and a nice button-down shirt. Sans the tie. Maybe I'll keep one in my pocket just in case, but I can't picture the doc I'm shadowing caring whether I wear one or not. None of my ties match the shirts I have though, so I'll end up looking funky if I do have to wear one.
I'm more nervous about the actual shadowing -- what's the protocol? Do I have to be like, "Hey, patient! Do you mind if I observe?" every time? 😕 This is a pediatrician actually, so are there gonna be scary moms being like, "Gtfo now!" at me?
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
She hit the floor. (Call the code!!)
I'm starting shadowing on Monday. Pretty much planning on wearing khakis and a nice button-down shirt. Sans the tie. Maybe I'll keep one in my pocket just in case, but I can't picture the doc I'm shadowing caring whether I wear one or not. None of my ties match the shirts I have though, so I'll end up looking funky if I do have to wear one.
I'm more nervous about the actual shadowing -- what's the protocol? Do I have to be like, "Hey, patient! Do you mind if I observe?" every time? 😕 This is a pediatrician actually, so are there gonna be scary moms being like, "Gtfo now!" at me?
The patient needs to approve your presence in the room. The Ophthalmologist asked for the patients approval before letting me in
Our president often times wears dress clothes without a tie. He looks professional and it is the future anyway. I would go with the advice of just asking what the dress code is where you are shadowing. People do not mind people wanting to do things right, just ask.
She hit the floor. (Call the code!!)
I'm starting shadowing on Monday. Pretty much planning on wearing khakis and a nice button-down shirt. Sans the tie. Maybe I'll keep one in my pocket just in case, but I can't picture the doc I'm shadowing caring whether I wear one or not. None of my ties match the shirts I have though, so I'll end up looking funky if I do have to wear one.
I'm more nervous about the actual shadowing -- what's the protocol? Do I have to be like, "Hey, patient! Do you mind if I observe?" every time? 😕 This is a pediatrician actually, so are there gonna be scary moms being like, "Gtfo now!" at me?
Hello ma'am, I'm a student observing with Dr. Peds, is that all right with you?
Guys- Unless you are going to be wearing scrubs, you should be dressed professionally (and yes this means wearing a tie!).
I have tons of shadowing experience, and I always dressed professionally. On several occasions, I had doctors that were on the admission committee at my dream school come up to me and say, "You look like a medical student. I like the way you're dressed." By dressing professionally, I was already looking like I belonged in their medical school. The result? I got an early interview, and received one of the first acceptances that this school sent out (they were also nice enough to give me a scholarship). And no, I didn't have through the roof sort of numbers. I am in no way saying that the impression that what I wore got me into medical school, but it certainly helped me seem professional, and every medical school looks for professionalism.
To those pre-meds saying that they hate ties, etc., ectc. - I don't know what you plan to be wearing as a medical student, but I can assure you that most (if not all) medical schools are going to require you to be wearing a shirt and tie when you sport that white coat so you might as well get used to it.
I have tons of shadowing experience, and I always dressed professionally. On several occasions, I had doctors that were on the admission committee at my dream school come up to me and say, "You look like a medical student. I like the way you're dressed." By dressing professionally, I was already looking like I belonged in their medical school. The result? I got an early interview, and received one of the first acceptances that this school sent out (they were also nice enough to give me a scholarship). And no, I didn't have through the roof sort of numbers. I am in no way saying that the impression that what I wore got me into medical school, but it certainly helped me seem professional, and every medical school looks for professionalism.
To those pre-meds saying that they hate ties, etc., ectc. - I don't know what you plan to be wearing as a medical student, but I can assure you that most (if not all) medical schools are going to require you to be wearing a shirt and tie when you sport that white coat so you might as well get used to it.
Did you know they were on an adcom before you shadowed them? Is there a way to find out doctors which doctors from a hospital are on an adcom?
Start with tie and dress down from there to match the doctor, but in my opinion you should always look more "presentable" than the doctor. There are liberties you don't have until you gain that title -- or unless otherwise directed by the doctor i.e. "take off the tie" or "dress more comfortably next time". Less likely to get a negative reaction from dressing too formally than being too casual, but the end result can depend on environment.
In my experience the doctor always takes care of this, depending on setting. On wards it was up to me to introduce myself unless on rounds, it either was not brought up or explained briefly. In clinic the doctors specifically told each patient/family prior to starting. Some families said no. Some doctors had me in the room when they ask, a couple (literally, two) would ask and call me in if patient said okay.
Pedes was the easiest for me to shadow. A lot of the parents were relieved to have someone play with their kids while the doctor talked to them. There was one 18 yo girl in orthopaedics who didn't want me around, though. Understandably.
In my experience the doctor always takes care of this, depending on setting. On wards it was up to me to introduce myself unless on rounds, it either was not brought up or explained briefly. In clinic the doctors specifically told each patient/family prior to starting. Some families said no. Some doctors had me in the room when they ask, a couple (literally, two) would ask and call me in if patient said okay.
Pedes was the easiest for me to shadow. A lot of the parents were relieved to have someone play with their kids while the doctor talked to them. There was one 18 yo girl in orthopaedics who didn't want me around, though. Understandably.
The blouse/skirt combo sounds good to me! It's good to mix it up sometimes.
She hit the floor. (Call the code!!)
I'm starting shadowing on Monday. Pretty much planning on wearing khakis and a nice button-down shirt. Sans the tie. Maybe I'll keep one in my pocket just in case, but I can't picture the doc I'm shadowing caring whether I wear one or not. None of my ties match the shirts I have though, so I'll end up looking funky if I do have to wear one.
I'm more nervous about the actual shadowing -- what's the protocol? Do I have to be like, "Hey, patient! Do you mind if I observe?" every time? 😕 This is a pediatrician actually, so are there gonna be scary moms being like, "Gtfo now!" at me?
When the patient is first brought to the room, have the nurse ask them if they are comfortable with you (a pre-med student) being there. Then when the doctor walks in and you follow, they'll be expecting your presence.
The doctor that I was shadowing was not on the adcom, but he was the head of one of the departments at the school. The compliment came from doctors that I wasn't shadowing, but that were in the same department. The only way that I knew that these physicians were on the adcom was through word of mouth. Anyway, the moral of the story is, you never know who you may impress / give a negative impression to, so you should always present yourself in a professional manner when you're shadowing.
I think it 100% depends on the setting. To be safe, I asked the doctor I'm currently shadowing beforehand, and he didn't have an opinions, just said a tie probably wasn't necessary. He and the people he works with are almost always in scrubs and, when not, they're wearing very casual clothes (as in T-shirt, athletic sneakers, etc.). Therefore, I wear a pair of khakis and a collared button-down shirt (not even a spiffy dress shirt), and feel completely appropriate in my dress.
Now, I've also worked at a pretty conservative clinic, where EVERY physician wears a jacket and tie. If I were shadowing in this context, I would probably want to be a bit more polished. Even here, though, I would probably lean toward no tie unless unless I asked and was told otherwise. I think the point is to just look well-dressed and, as others have said, "professional." Obviously, most patients don't want some a-hole in basketball shorts standing around gawking at them, but I don't think that it's necessary to blend in with the physicians. Just my two cents. It's not hard to ask someone who can tell you what's appropriate for that specific context.
Now, I've also worked at a pretty conservative clinic, where EVERY physician wears a jacket and tie. If I were shadowing in this context, I would probably want to be a bit more polished. Even here, though, I would probably lean toward no tie unless unless I asked and was told otherwise. I think the point is to just look well-dressed and, as others have said, "professional." Obviously, most patients don't want some a-hole in basketball shorts standing around gawking at them, but I don't think that it's necessary to blend in with the physicians. Just my two cents. It's not hard to ask someone who can tell you what's appropriate for that specific context.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Do you look like Snorlax too?
