OMM dress code?

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Traign

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I did a pretty thorough search for this but didn't really get any solid answers. Does anyone know the dress codes for OMM labs at all the osteopathic schools?

Mainly which schools require girls to take off their shirts and which don't?

I haven't owned a bathing suit since 5th grade, I don't go to the beach, and I dress pretty conservatively. I have no problem with seeing everyone else's body, but I am very concerned about a classroom full of colleagues seeing mine. Patients usually undress in front their physician in a private room, not in front of 150 of their peers when getting examined. I also don't think my insecurity about my body affects my professionalism in any way.

So if I could just get a straight answer on this, that would be great. I know I'll have to get over it, if I really want to go to a school that does require it of their students.
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LOL, I obviously don't know enough about OMM. Had no idea we had to take our clothes off... Please tell me I can keep my pants and underwear on... I'll be the first to admit I'm insecure about feeling a breeze between my legs in front of an entire classroom. 😱
 
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Thanks for the heads up. This is my first time hearing this. Is it because we have to practice the technique on each other? Great... I'm probably going to be a fat out of shape student cause I don't think I'll have time to workout in med school.
 
Hm. All the more reason to lose weight before I matriculate.

Grrr.
 
Yah...I started doing crunches a few months ago...I'm not a bathing suit/revealing clothing sort of person.
 
hahaha, you guys are silly. After the first year of class I can count on one hand the number of times I had to take my shirt off. And it wasnt always for a long time, just long enough for my partner in lab to look at/inspect/diagnose issues of the spine or back. We have some larger people in lab too, but if you are that immature that you have to stare and giggle at people you need to grow up. If you are serious about entering the medical field you are going to have to see and say things that you arent comfortable with on a daily basis. Was it easy to have a 70 year old man pull his pants down in front of me when we had to do our testicular exams and the prostate examination? Of course not. But I want to work in this field and I understand this is part of the training and what I'm going to be expected to do so I do it.

As for the crazy posts above...

1. you will NEVER be asked to take your clothes off in class or at school in general.
2. ALL OPP labs will at one point or another have you take your shirts off. Bottoms should always be kept on.
3. Girls should wear sports bras under a tshirt in case you need to take your shirt off. again, its not every class.


Geez the rumors are endless....:laugh:
 
Here's PCOM's rules:

.Dress code in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Laboratories.
. .
.The dress requirement in clinical skills training sessions is designed to promote learning by providing optimal access to diagnostic observation and palpatory experience. Wearing inappropriate clothing interferes with a partner's experience of diagnosis and treatment..
. .
.Appropriate attire must be clean and includes:.
·. ..Gym-type running shorts (not long, baggy basketball types) which are several inches above the knee - (no jean shorts, cut-offs, thick-seamed shorts or shorts with belts).
·. ..T-shirts - both sexes will be asked to remove t-shirts while acting as patients..
·. ..Sports bras or bathing suit tops for women - these should expose the spine and ribs (not wide t-back styles)..
·. ..Student doctors may wear normal clothing per the overall PCOM dress-code (or other apparel approved by the course director) over the laboratory attire when not in the role of the patient..
·. ..When in the role of the patient, each student is expected to remove her/his shoes (no shoes are permitted on the tables)..
·. ..Hats or head coverings (other than for religious purposes) are not permitted in lab. .
.o. ...Religious head coverings are to be removed when they would obscure the immediate area to be examined or treated (e.g., head, neck, upper back). They may be immediately replaced after that portion of clinical skills training..
·. ..Each student doctor must be appropriately attired before class begins. Students who do not wear the required clothing will be asked to leave the lab and return when they are appropriately clothed. If the student cannot return in appropriate clothing for a significant portion of the lab, then the student may receive an absence for this lab at the discretion of the OPP/OMM course coordinators..
. .
 
Ugh, that makes me nervous about PCOM. I would really like to go there. I know Chicago doesn't make you, I think the students get to wear scrubs.

I don't even wear shorts, not even in summer! This is tough, I'm comfortable with seeing other people's bodies, but I know the real world exists full of a lot of judgmental people. I mean just look at some of the comments that go around on SDN about the dumbest things.
 
Bacchus said:
Here's PCOM's rules:

.Dress code in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Laboratories.

.The dress requirement in clinical skills training sessions is designed to promote learning by providing optimal access to diagnostic observation and palpatory experience. Wearing inappropriate clothing interferes with a partner’s experience of diagnosis and treatment..

.Appropriate attire must be clean and includes:.
·.Gym-type running shorts (not long, baggy basketball types) which are several inches above the knee - (no jean shorts, cut-offs, thick-seamed shorts or shorts with belts).
·.T-shirts - both sexes will be asked to remove t-shirts while acting as patients..
·.Sports bras or bathing suit tops for women - these should expose the spine and ribs (not wide t-back styles)..
·.Student doctors may wear normal clothing per the overall PCOM dress-code (or other apparel approved by the course director) over the laboratory attire when not in the role of the patient..
·.When in the role of the patient, each student is expected to remove her/his shoes (no shoes are permitted on the tables)..
·.Hats or head coverings (other than for religious purposes) are not permitted in lab. .
.o..Religious head coverings are to be removed when they would obscure the immediate area to be examined or treated (e.g., head, neck, upper back). They may be immediately replaced after that portion of clinical skills training..
·.Each student doctor must be appropriately attired before class begins. Students who do not wear the required clothing will be asked to leave the lab and return when they are appropriately clothed. If the student cannot return in appropriate clothing for a significant portion of the lab, then the student may receive an absence for this lab at the discretion of the OPP/OMM course coordinators..
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Same at Touro in NY. I think this is the general policy. Sorry, unless it is a religious issue, time to grow up. We all come in different shapes and no one is made fun of for it. Being adults now and not kids, it would be considered rude and being a jerk!
 
BassCaster said:
LOL, I obviously don't know enough about OMM. Had no idea we had to take our clothes off... Please tell me I can keep my pants and underwear on... I'll be the first to admit I'm insecure about feeling a breeze between my legs in front of an entire classroom. 😱
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Going comando is not required unless you are going for a Basic instinct moment with the class
 
Gold 5 said:
Same at Touro in NY. I think this is the general policy. Sorry, unless it is a religious issue, time to grow up. We all come in different shapes and no one is made fun of for it. Being adults now and not kids, it would be considered rude and being a jerk!
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Yeah, I understand that but come on there's a hotness thread on this forum about classmates. It'd be ignorant of me to say my classmates aren't going to judge me, maybe in an ideal world. I'm not saying here I'm the one who's going to be a jerk, I'm afraid of everyone else being one and it's like ingrained in our society to judge women on their bodies.

I'm just surprised they would require girls to be in a bra. I'm surprised thin clothing or reaching underneath the shirt wouldn't suffice cause that's what every doctor I've been to does.

And I just wanted a list, if I really want to go somewhere I will, and it won't be based on OMM attire. I just wanted to know which ones were strict about it and their requirements.
 
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Traign said:
Yeah, I understand that but come on there's a hotness thread on this forum about classmates. It'd be ignorant of me to say my classmates aren't going to judge me, maybe in an ideal world. I'm not saying here I'm the one who's going to be a jerk, I'm afraid of everyone else being one and it's like ingrained in our society to judge women on their bodies.

I'm just surprised they would require girls to be in a bra. I'm surprised thin clothing or reaching underneath the shirt wouldn't suffice cause that's what every doctor I've been to does.

And I just wanted a list, if I really want to go somewhere I will, and it won't be based on OMM attire. I just wanted to know which ones were strict about it and their requirements.
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Well I hate to break it to you, most folks aren't "HOT" in med school. I would say that there are a lot of guys and girls who hve a spare tire going around. The only folks I have seen wearing a bathing suit are extremly obese (only 1 of these folks) and have issues finding things that fit.

As for bra's they are sports bras so you really aren't seeing anything hanging out. While it may seem a big issue now, this is really a non issue when you start school. Things like passing usually take over as your primary concern. Trust me on this!

Oh as a side issue, I figured out awhile ago no matter who you are or what you do, people will not like you or belittle you so don't let them control you own self-hapiness. The only opinions I truly care about our my wife and close family. Everyone else can go .... (fill in the blank) off.
 
Traign said:
Yeah, I understand that but come on there's a hotness thread on this forum about classmates. It'd be ignorant of me to say my classmates aren't going to judge me, maybe in an ideal world. I'm not saying here I'm the one who's going to be a jerk, I'm afraid of everyone else being one and it's like ingrained in our society to judge women on their bodies.

I'm just surprised they would require girls to be in a bra. I'm surprised thin clothing or reaching underneath the shirt wouldn't suffice cause that's what every doctor I've been to does.

And I just wanted a list, if I really want to go somewhere I will, and it won't be based on OMM attire. I just wanted to know which ones were strict about it and their requirements.
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Don't worry about SDN. It is a very small representation of people. And who cares if someone judges you. Just be yourself, because you can't control other people... and there are some super un-cool ones out there.

I realize a lot of docs do those things you were talking about, but in school they have to teach the correct way (as opposed to the time efficient way). They always want us touching skin, not clothes... and visualizing the skin is important too.

I would be very surprised if any DO school had a significantly different policy than the one listed above. It's just the way it is, and after a few weeks, you'll not even think twice about it.
 
so wait, if you usually go commando most of the time, should you start wearing underwear?

the only reason why I don't is because during the summer it get really sweaty down there and I usually have to scratch myself all the time.
 
Traign said:
I did a pretty thorough search for this but didn't really get any solid answers. Does anyone know the dress codes for OMM labs at all the osteopathic schools?

Mainly which schools require girls to take off their shirts and which don't?

I haven't owned a bathing suit since 5th grade, I don't go to the beach, and I dress pretty conservatively. I have no problem with seeing everyone else's body, but I am very concerned about a classroom full of colleagues seeing mine. Patients usually undress in front their physician in a private room, not in front of 150 of their peers when getting examined. I also don't think my insecurity about my body affects my professionalism in any way.

So if I could just get a straight answer on this, that would be great. I know I'll have to get over it, if I really want to go to a school that does require it of their students.
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Ever heard of P90X? I went from a waistline of 43.5" on day 1 to 34" by day 90. It took me another 45 or so days to get down to 31.5" I would highly recommend an intense workout program like this if you are feeling insecure about your body 🙂
 
AdemTD said:
Ever heard of P90X? I went from a waistline of 43.5" on day 1 to 34" by day 90. It took me another 45 or so days to get down to 31.5" I would highly recommend an intense workout program like this if you are feeling insecure about your body 🙂
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hey i was thinking about doing that program..know where i can stream it? and what kind of equipment do you need?
 
Traign said:
I'm just surprised they would require girls to be in a bra. I'm surprised thin clothing or reaching underneath the shirt wouldn't suffice cause that's what every doctor I've been to does.
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It seems like that would lead to more "whoops, I didn't mean to touch that, but I just couldn't see what I was doing" moments whereas if the simulated patient is wearing a sports bra that would be less likely.
 
Traign said:
Ugh, that makes me nervous about PCOM. I would really like to go there. I know Chicago doesn't make you, I think the students get to wear scrubs.

I don't even wear shorts, not even in summer! This is tough, I'm comfortable with seeing other people's bodies, but I know the real world exists full of a lot of judgmental people. I mean just look at some of the comments that go around on SDN about the dumbest things.
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You're going to have to get over this if you want to go to DO school. At mine I had to sign a matriculation agreement which stated the dress code for OMM and that students had to abide by it...i.e. the sports bra/shorts deal for women. Just saying "eek noone can see me!" will not cut it.

A few years ago at WVSOM there was a girl who made a stink of this and based in Muslim. She was dismissed from school.

Also, if you are that self-conscience and insecure it may make other parts of things in med schoo/medicine difficult for you. You are going to have to do and see things which would horrify the average person.
 
*sigh* I get it med school means you experience weird and horrifying stuff. I get that people. I don't care about what awkward things I have to do to other people. I talked to a lot of people about it, and EVERY adult I know would have an issue with this, including doctors I know. I don't know too many DOs closely, so I guess that's why I didn't really know about this before.

Let's just kill this thread cause it's just the same stuff over and over.
 
Could any students provide any (links to) back-view pictures of what types of sports bras are appropriate? I have a bunch of them, but they all cover the back and spine quite a bit... so I don't know if there is any way around this. Since sports bras are made for exercise, they are obviously pretty heavy-duty and thus cover the back quite a bit. I am guessing sports bras with a standard-bra clasp in back is what they prefer... if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I feel silly for asking this... but sports bras are supposed to be full-coverage right? I'm guessing the ones with cups or that show any cleavage would be kinda awkward for class. The only problem is that the full-coverage bras are the ones that also seem to have a fuller coverage in the back as well, which covers up the spine to a good extent. It almost seems like some type of backless halter-top might be more appropriate... just wondering.

Maybe the school should just sell OMM-appropriate sports bras with the school logo, so that we don't have to be confused about what to buy.
 
There have only been a couple of times where they asked us to take our shirts off, and usually it is stated something like "This is a lot easier to feel if you are touching skin so guys you should take your shirts off and girls you can too if you are comfortable" or something like that. I don't recall a moment ever when it was absolutely mandated that everyone (boy and girl) remove their shirt. I think that in the official policies they reserve the right to make such a request, but I can't see them making you do this every class.

Also for those of you who say you won't have time to workout during medical school you need to Get that idea out of your head! You will most definitely have time if you make it a priority. You will be counseling patients every day about weight problems and they will tell you every day that they don't have time. You need to learn how to be healthy in order to teach others to be healthy. Start taking care of yourselves now and not for OMM but for yourself and for your future patients. I workout almost every day and I do fine in medical school. It can be done!
 
rkaz said:
Could any students provide any (links to) back-view pictures of what types of sports bras are appropriate? I have a bunch of them, but they all cover the back and spine quite a bit... so I don't know if there is any way around this. Since sports bras are made for exercise, they are obviously pretty heavy-duty and thus cover the back quite a bit. I am guessing sports bras with a standard-bra clasp in back is what they prefer... if I'm not mistaken.

Also, I feel silly for asking this... but sports bras are supposed to be full-coverage right? I'm guessing the ones with cups or that show any cleavage would be kinda awkward for class. The only problem is that the full-coverage bras are the ones that also seem to have a fuller coverage in the back as well, which covers up the spine to a good extent. It almost seems like some type of backless halter-top might be more appropriate... just wondering.

Maybe the school should just sell OMM-appropriate sports bras with the school logo, so that we don't have to be confused about what to buy.
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See I heard just the opposite. I heard that full-coverage sports bras in OMM are frowned upon and will result in a zero for the entire course.

Good news however is that bonus points are given for those that are extra revealing and display more cleavage.

These could be just rumors.
 
Octagonecology said:
Good news however is that bonus points are given for those that are extra revealing and display more cleavage.

These could be just rumors.
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:laugh::laugh:I also heard this rumor
 
Reply in line
rkaz said:
Could any students provide any (links to) back-view pictures of what types of sports bras are appropriate? I have a bunch of them, but they all cover the back and spine quite a bit... so I don't know if there is any way around this. Since sports bras are made for exercise, they are obviously pretty heavy-duty and thus cover the back quite a bit. I am guessing sports bras with a standard-bra clasp in back is what they prefer... if I'm not mistaken.
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They want the smaller ones (ie not covering 1/2 your back) but nobody has the clasp in the back. Most sports bras I think tend to be at least a few inches in the back. As long as it is a sports bra they probably will not bother you. Honestly the instructors are not out to see flesh but they want the student doctor to properly diagnose back issues.

rkaz said:
Also, I feel silly for asking this... but sports bras are supposed to be full-coverage right? I'm guessing the ones with cups or that show any cleavage would be kinda awkward for class. The only problem is that the full-coverage bras are the ones that also seem to have a fuller coverage in the back as well, which covers up the spine to a good extent. It almost seems like some type of backless halter-top might be more appropriate... just wondering.

Maybe the school should just sell OMM-appropriate sports bras with the school logo, so that we don't have to be confused about what to buy.
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I'm not sure about halter tops, stick to a sports bra. Perhaps wait until class starts and ask your OMM instructors for guidance.

PS the most potentially embarrassing thing that you really do in OMM is a pelvic diagram release that requires the Dr to place there fingers about an inch medial to your Ischeal tuberosity while the pt coughs. Yes you do practice this on one another and you are wearing pants at the time. Oh I forgot to mention where that is "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberosity_of_the_ischium"

Gold
 
Thanks Gold for describing the sports bras, and to Slim for discussing AZCOM policy. I'll just stick to the sports bras I already have, and will just hope that the instructors don't require us to remove our shirts (although if needed, I will).

Hm, I'm a bit confused by that pelvic manipulation as to what exactly is done... but that's probably a good thing.

By the way Slim, I'm disappointed you removed that cute baby from your avatar. He is very adorable.
 
fj4288 said:
hey i was thinking about doing that program..know where i can stream it? and what kind of equipment do you need?
Click to expand...

I actually purchased it from Beachbody. Yes it was quite expensive, but it was worth every penny. Anyway, you will need a set of dumbbells (resistance bands work wonderfully too if you can't afford dumbbells), and one of those door frame pull up bars, and about a 4' x 6' area to do some pushups and yoga poses. There is so much variety in this program too that it never gets boring. Each day is a completely different workout from the previous day. I highly recommend you invest in this program.
 
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Doctor Bob said:
It seems like that would lead to more "whoops, I didn't mean to touch that, but I just couldn't see what I was doing" moments whereas if the simulated patient is wearing a sports bra that would be less likely.
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As an EMT, for a 12-lead EKG, we would lift most women's left breast to correctly place V4 and maybe V5. We were told to use the back of a hand (or have them do it) to lift because that was the least like fondling. You need to be able to see what you're doing. But the real important thing is to always tell the patient what you're doing and why.
 
You'd be surprised how much everyone is too busy learning to be looking around at everyone's body.

And don't worry so much about being out of shape either --- we were doing small group physical diagnosis and someone asked the question about stethoscope use and women's bras/breasts. So the instructor asked one of the women in our small group of 10 to volunteer. Now, I'm not svelte, I've had two children, I'm 40 at that point, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit in front of anyone. The 20 something cute size 2 girls in my group who wear bathing suits that are smaller than pasties refused to be a model for the physician leading our group.... so here I am, the 40 year old out of shape mother volunteering. The men were grateful someone volunteered so they could learn and no one made a single comment about my body or bra. Med school has this way of making the immature folks grow up.

As for UNE's OMM dress code, it's comfortable. sweats, scrubs, shorts, t-shirts/tank tops, sports bra as necessary/appropriate. No jeans, take off bulky sweatshirts, no shoes. If they need to see your bare back they can lift your shirt to the appropriate level.
 
ShyRem said:
You'd be surprised how much everyone is too busy learning to be looking around at everyone's body.

And don't worry so much about being out of shape either --- we were doing small group physical diagnosis and someone asked the question about stethoscope use and women's bras/breasts. So the instructor asked one of the women in our small group of 10 to volunteer. Now, I'm not svelte, I've had two children, I'm 40 at that point, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit in front of anyone. The 20 something cute size 2 girls in my group who wear bathing suits that are smaller than pasties refused to be a model for the physician leading our group.... so here I am, the 40 year old out of shape mother volunteering. The men were grateful someone volunteered so they could learn and no one made a single comment about my body or bra. Med school has this way of making the immature folks grow up.

As for UNE's OMM dress code, it's comfortable. sweats, scrubs, shorts, t-shirts/tank tops, sports bra as necessary/appropriate. No jeans, take off bulky sweatshirts, no shoes. If they need to see your bare back they can lift your shirt to the appropriate level.
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Thank You!
 
ShyRem said:
You'd be surprised how much everyone is too busy learning to be looking around at everyone's body.

And don't worry so much about being out of shape either --- we were doing small group physical diagnosis and someone asked the question about stethoscope use and women's bras/breasts. So the instructor asked one of the women in our small group of 10 to volunteer. Now, I'm not svelte, I've had two children, I'm 40 at that point, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit in front of anyone. The 20 something cute size 2 girls in my group who wear bathing suits that are smaller than pasties refused to be a model for the physician leading our group.... so here I am, the 40 year old out of shape mother volunteering. The men were grateful someone volunteered so they could learn and no one made a single comment about my body or bra. Med school has this way of making the immature folks grow up.

As for UNE's OMM dress code, it's comfortable. sweats, scrubs, shorts, t-shirts/tank tops, sports bra as necessary/appropriate. No jeans, take off bulky sweatshirts, no shoes. If they need to see your bare back they can lift your shirt to the appropriate level.
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as a member of the itty bitty you know what committee as well as the itsy bitsy bathing suit club, i think that maybe the pasties-as-bathing-suit wearing girls didn't volunteer because, i'd imagine with a bathing suit that small, they probably don't have large breasts, so they figured that it would make more sense for the demonstration to be done on someone that does have larger breasts? of course, this would be assuming you do have larger breasts than the other girls. trying to figure out how to work a stethoscope around my chest shouldn't be too hard considering i've seen man boobs larger than mine. learning how to use a stethoscope around breasts that have to be lifted (like Styria mentioned) would be more helpful.
 
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It really absolutely baffles me as to how people can worry about such mundane and absolutely ridiculous issues as in this thread. You need to concentrate more on getting into school, and if you already have, you need to get off of SDN because its all rumors and mostly lies. Go enjoy your free time you have left before school starts because I promise you, the first semester you really wont have any. You may get into a rhythm 2nd semester and be able to spare a little more time, but my guess is no. You may have to take your shirt off while wearing a sports bra OMFG!!!one!11!!!! Like shyrem said, you're gonna be too busy actually learning the techniques to stare at others and have others gawk at you. The fact that you are even having the thought cross your mind that you want a list of schools that wont make you take your shirt off in OPP lab and you'd rule a school out or think negatively about it is also ridiculous. I would venture to say that NOT exposing the spine for inspection/palpation/diagnosis in OPP lab would be an extreme disservice to the students. Just saying because well, I've BTDT, and you havent.

Stop worrying about your body, go have fun until school starts and once it finally does go worry about learning the material instead of your outfit. You'll have more studying to do than you'll ever care for.
 
There's no need to get frustrated with anyone here. Most of us are just nervous and excited about starting school... and musing about issues we'll deal with is... kinda fun. It's enjoyable for most women to come together and reflect on insecurities... which you clearly don't relate to. No issue. There's nothing wrong with your point of view, but neither is there anything wrong with any of us on here who want to discuss these sorts of issues either. If reading women discuss body concerns isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other discussions on this forum you can participate in. Let us be free to be who we are...

I agree with you though that those of us accepted should probably spend less time on SDN now and enjoy the rest of our summers. I have already started spending less time here since my application season, and will continue to be on here less and less as I've become much busier with other things.
 
Traign said:
Thank You!
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Being honest, medical school can have quite a good bit of drama outside the classroom. Most of it is because of hook-ups and crazy nights out on the town. There are all different body types in my class, and I have yet to hear much judging about anyone's body. When it happens, it is between females who don't like each other anyway. I attend an MD school, and most of us go to practice labs and remove t-shirts for practicing physical exams on a VOLUNTARY basis. I've seen almost all of our females there. No one has ever been rude about someone else's body. We are in medical school and mature enough to handle such things.

Not trying to be mean, but I would "judge" you much more poorly by not wanting to participate in OMM drills. We are here to learn and that is it. By making it more difficult for others to learn OMM, you are just being selfish in my opinion. I've seen the most conservative girls in our class (skinny and obese) in sports bras. Who cares?

Funniest story from physical exam practice involves me and the MOST conservative girl in our class practicing in lab:
Girl: "I need to listen to your mitral valve. Could you please turn on your side in the lateral debauchery position?"
Me: "Debauchery position????? Whoa! Do you mean decubitus position?
Girl: "Oh yeah.....what does debauchery mean?"

Moral to the story: There may be some funny moments along the way, but we are all going to be doctors. Learning is the #1 priority. I wouldn't study or practice with anyone not willing to participate fully in all activities. It is a waste. I can't see anyone "judging" your body in class, and if they did, I would got straight with you to the dean of student affairs to report him/her. It isn't the place.
 
What if you have a religious issue with stripping down to a sports bra in front of the class?

To clarify also, it's not the actual lab I'm talking about. I would have no issues with working with male students, neither would it be an issue to see everyone else in their respective dress codes. I mean specifically, is there a way to substitute other pieces of clothing - i.e. shorts and maybe a tighter t-shirt, or yoga pants? Is this something to discuss with the schools?
 
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twocentnews said:
What if you have a religious issue with stripping down to a sports bra in front of the class?

To clarify also, it's not the actual lab I'm talking about. I would have no issues with working with male students, neither would it be an issue to see everyone else in their respective dress codes. I mean specifically, is there a way to substitute other pieces of clothing - i.e. shorts and maybe a tighter t-shirt, or yoga pants? Is this something to discuss with the schools?
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I'm sure schools are willing to work with you, and I am sure you can find someone in your class possibly with similar values.

No offense, but I just wouldn't want to work with you. You can't listen accurately with a stethoscope over a shirt, especially in the 6 different locations. It still isn't ideal with a sports bra - better but not ideal. You can't visualize the spine with a shirt on. You can't do the entire respiratory exam accurately with a shirt on. You lift up your shirt for abdominal exams anyway.

Again, I'm sure you can find someone willing to take the extra time to work with you. Some just won't want a partner that can't contribute anything to the session.
 
Well said. That's exactly what I was thinking. 🙂

rkaz said:
There's no need to get frustrated with anyone here. Most of us are just nervous and excited about starting school... and musing about issues we'll deal with is... kinda fun. It's enjoyable for most women to come together and reflect on insecurities... which you clearly don't relate to. No issue. There's nothing wrong with your point of view, but neither is there anything wrong with any of us on here who want to discuss these sorts of issues either. If reading women discuss body concerns isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other discussions on this forum you can participate in. Let us be free to be who we are...

I agree with you though that those of us accepted should probably spend less time on SDN now and enjoy the rest of our summers. I have already started spending less time here since my application season, and will continue to be on here less and less as I've become much busier with other things.
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At CCOM mandatory scrubs (top and bottom) were implemented this year. Sports bra underneath for girls, but the top (and bottom) always stays on.

To be honest, palpation and some techniques were not always easy with scrubs, but if you are looking for modesty, this is the place.
 
TexasPhysician said:
I'm sure schools are willing to work with you, and I am sure you can find someone in your class possibly with similar values.

No offense, but I just wouldn't want to work with you. You can't listen accurately with a stethoscope over a shirt, especially in the 6 different locations. It still isn't ideal with a sports bra - better but not ideal. You can't visualize the spine with a shirt on. You can't do the entire respiratory exam accurately with a shirt on. You lift up your shirt for abdominal exams anyway.

Again, I'm sure you can find someone willing to take the extra time to work with you. Some just won't want a partner that can't contribute anything to the session.
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Exactly. You're going to have to get patients to get undressed for the exam, why not go ahead and do it yourself so you can learn what makes you more comfortable and you can suggest it to them to make them more comfortable if they are uncomfortable during the exam. If you try and do a respiratory or cardio exam through the shirt at school you're gonna be pimped and the docs are gonna get on to you. You just physically can't hear the same stuff with the same accuracy that way.

twocentnews said:
What if you have a religious issue with stripping down to a sports bra in front of the class?

To clarify also, it's not the actual lab I'm talking about. I would have no issues with working with male students, neither would it be an issue to see everyone else in their respective dress codes. I mean specifically, is there a way to substitute other pieces of clothing - i.e. shorts and maybe a tighter t-shirt, or yoga pants? Is this something to discuss with the schools?
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Lol, what is the obsession with shorts vs. pants. It really doesnt matter as long as they arent jeans or thick pants where you cant feel land marks or the waist band gets in the way. You are NEVER, I repeat, NEVER going to have to take your bottoms off. At our school the doc will have one student come to the front to demonstrate the technique on and everyone watch, and then we go practice. After a session or two its really no big deal. Eventually youre going to have to put your hands very close to someone elses stuff, be it a breast, a penis, a va-jayjay, etc. Note very carefully that I didnt say touch someone elses stuff. You will never be instructed in OPP lab to touch someone inappropriately. Well... you may deem it inappropriate now, but you'll become more lax about laying hands on patients in places you didnt think you would. Like the sternum. Or ribs 2-6 on the side and front. Or the pubic symphysis. Or the innominates during a balanced ligamentous technique where you basically grab the pts hip bone and they sit down into your hands while you hold their ischial tuberosities (the sit bones) and the ASIS with the other. Or anything with the sacrum and the ILAs. Or the infamous pelvic diaphragm release. Will you use them after you learn them and are tested on them in OPP class? Maybe, maybe not. But you're still going to have to not only learn the techniques, you're going to have to perform them as well as be proficient in them for your step 2s in Philly.

So all I'm saying is you better get used to seeing people in various states of undress and for class, unfortunately, your partner will learn much, much much more diagnostic skills if you'll take your shirt off. I wont even get into some of the crazy ass **** you are gonna be seeing out in the Psych wards and the ER.
 
if i write in my application that i am more than willing to "freeball it" in OMM, would it increase my chances of getting accepted? maybe if i show ECs that demonstrate my comfort level in my birthday suit? cause i can think of this one time i went streaking through this corn field next to my high school and i am pretty sure i can use some serious wordplay to relate that to the challenges presented in OMM and how i plan on overcomming them... also, even though i am a male, i am also more than willing to wear a sports bra if it would make my application that much better...
 
Freezer said:
if i write in my application that i am more than willing to "freeball it" in OMM, would it increase my chances of getting accepted? maybe if i show ECs that demonstrate my comfort level in my birthday suit? cause i can think of this one time i went streaking through this corn field next to my high school and i am pretty sure i can use some serious wordplay to relate that to the challenges presented in OMM and how i plan on overcomming them... also, even though i am a male, i am also more than willing to wear a sports bra if it would make my application that much better...
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did you go streaking alone or with a partner? because omm is about doing it to another person. so i think if you streak solo, it'll hurt your app more than help. :laugh:
 
Freezer said:
if i write in my application that i am more than willing to "freeball it" in OMM, would it increase my chances of getting accepted? maybe if i show ECs that demonstrate my comfort level in my birthday suit? cause i can think of this one time i went streaking through this corn field next to my high school and i am pretty sure i can use some serious wordplay to relate that to the challenges presented in OMM and how i plan on overcomming them... also, even though i am a male, i am also more than willing to wear a sports bra if it would make my application that much better...
Click to expand...

Go ahead. Tell us how it goes.
 
Man people are freaking out about this? I'm saving my freaking out for gross anatomy/biochemistry/microbiology/justabouteveryotheraspectofmedicalschool

And just for the record, we all don't have model bodies. Nobody is going to be looking at you and going EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Probably not.

Just think of it this way: You're way better off taking off your shirt for OMM then subjecting yourself to a prostate/gyn exam by your classmates.
 
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Freezer said:
if i write in my application that i am more than willing to "freeball it" in OMM, would it increase my chances of getting accepted? maybe if i show ECs that demonstrate my comfort level in my birthday suit? cause i can think of this one time i went streaking through this corn field next to my high school and i am pretty sure i can use some serious wordplay to relate that to the challenges presented in OMM and how i plan on overcomming them... also, even though i am a male, i am also more than willing to wear a sports bra if it would make my application that much better...
Click to expand...

write all of these things and report back :meanie:

Back from lala land, I think I remember DMU requiring these ridiculously ugly shorts that go below the knee and scrub tops. Lots of current students at the interview complained, it was actually pretty comical. Can't recall whether the shirts come off ever, but I expect they probably do at some point.
 
engineeredout said:
Nobody is going to be looking at you and going EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Probably not.
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Conversely.....I would prefer to have people think "hmm...I would like to hit that," over "ok...let's get to work"
 
EricH said:
Conversely.....I would prefer to have people think "hmm...I would like to hit that," over "ok...let's get to work"
Click to expand...

Thats why you're going to western. By far the easiest OMM lab on the eyes out of any of the schools i interviewed at 😀
 
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