Silly Question

[joedogma]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know that this is a strange question to be asking, but what is the appropriate attire in pathology? I started to think about this this morning as I was putting on clean clothes fresh from the dry cleaners knowing that by the end of the day (I am currently doing medicine) these clothes will smell like "hospital." The reason I ask is because I will be doing 2 pathology rotations in the near future 😀 and I want to be prepared. I imagine that on the CP side shirt tie are the norm but what about in AP and more specifically surgical path? While doing autopsy path do you usually wear scubs? (I have seen some docs wear scubs, some wear shirt and tie, and even some in "casual wear.") What do you think?

 

[edamame]

Many of our residents wear scrubs all the time - AP and CP.
Some male residents on CP often wear button-down shirts +/- tie. (probably depends on the laundry situation at home.)
Attendings are a bit more formal, but not as fancy as many clinicians.

If you're grossing or doing an autopsy, there are disposable liquid-resistant lab coats, plastic aprons, shoe covers, goggles, gloves, etc. - some people use every possible protective covering. On the other extreme, I've seen attendings practically grab specimens with their bare hands. Personally, I like to limit my exposure to formalin.

I imagine you will probably be an observer on surg path, but there's still a chance of getting "accidentally" splashed by something that you might not want to bring home on your clothes - if that's the case, you should be able to put a disposable lab coat over your dry-clean clothes. Unless you know you'll be on the autopsy service (in that case, wear scrubs or bring a pair to change into), I'd start out with the standard clinic-wear to err on the safe side of making a "good impression" - after you know what you'll get to do (sitting and looking at slides all day is usually not too dirty!) and see what the other residents are wearing, you can adjust accordingly.

 

[cookypuss3]

Scrubs, scrubs, scrubs, all the time, baby. I cannot wait to have 4 years of scrubs-only residency. The comfort of pajamas! Someone else does the laundry -- just like Mom's house! Accessorize with your favorite beat up kicks! Love. 😍

 

[yaah]

I think it depends on where you are. At some places you wear "nice clothes" all of the time except when you have to go to the frozen lab, morgue, whatever, when you change. Obviously, if you are going back and forth frequently this might not work.

At my PSF I would wear a scrub top on days when I was doing frozens or grossing in large cases, but wear shirt and tie on days when I was doing small specimens or autopsies, cuz I could change.

I'm actually kind of old fashioned though, I don't think you should wear scrubs unless you have to. Look your best at work, create an atmosphere of professionalism. But that's just me. I think a lot of it depends on the atmosphere at the place you are working. A lot of places will expect you to change so that you look nice for conferences, signout, etc. Some places don't give a flying $@%!. I also am not that big a fan of them. Not enough pockets (since I hate white coats). When I wear scrubs people think I am a surgeon (I guess because I am tall, not sure where that comes from). So I prefer to not wear them and be thought of as someone smarter. There are always plenty of aprons, plastic robes, whatever. I would be wary of wearing expensive shoes though. The floors in path labs can be dangerous places.

I once did an autopsy in full-up formal wear, complete with top hat, tails, and an elegant diamond studded vest. Shoes to match, of course. 😉

So cookypuss does that mean you change once you get there or are you one of those folks who wear scrubs to work? Some people look good in scrubs. Others, however, (these are usually men) tend to wear them too small, gut hanging out, pants too short, stains all over the place, etc. Cookypuss I bet I wouldn't mind if you wore scrubs every day. 😍 Did you ever wear scrubs out to dinner? I did once (they were clean). I ordered a beer to see if they would give me one. They did.

 

[cookypuss3]

So cookypuss does that mean you change once you get there or are you one of those folks who wear scrubs to work? Some people look good in scrubs. Others, however, (these are usually men) tend to wear them too small, gut hanging out, pants too short, stains all over the place, etc. Cookypuss I bet I wouldn't mind if you wore scrubs every day. 😍 Did you ever wear scrubs out to dinner? I did once (they were clean). I ordered a beer to see if they would give me one. They did.

I stockpile scrubs at home, wear them in, and periodically dump a large dirty load in the convenient parking lot scrub drop-off bin. I've worn them to dinner, I've worn them to happy hour. Many times. But alas, I look hot in scrubs. 🙄 I think scrubs on men are hot hot hot. Something about the goodies being a mere yank of a drawstring away... Mrrrrrow!!!

As an aside, I see the point of dressing professionally, really I do. The attendings where I'm going are usually dressed nicely but there's a few who are always in scrubs like the residents. Of course, this is Phoenix, where flip-flops are acceptable attire in a nice restaurant.

 

[Nilf]

I've noticed that quite a few pathology attendings wear bowtie instead of regular ties.

 

[edamame]

I've noticed that quite a few pathology attendings wear bowtie instead of regular ties.

Another sign that pathologists do know more...?
(I vote for no ties vs. bowties.)

-----------------------------------------------------------

The New York Times

Hazards: All Dressed Up, Carrying Germs

May 25, 2004
By JOHN O'NEIL

It's not news that hospitals are full of sources of
infection. But a study released yesterday found a new one:
Almost half the ties worn by doctors in a Queens hospital
proved to be carrying pathogens.

By contrast, only 1 of 10 ties belonging to security
guards, who have far less close contact with patients, were
germ infested.

The study was conducted at New York Hospital Medical Center
of Queens and was presented yesterday at a conference of
the American Society for Microbiology in New Orleans by one
of its authors, Steve Nurkin, a medical student.

Mr. Nurkin said he proposed the study when, during a
rotation on the hospital's surgery ward, he noticed that
the ties invariably worn by male doctors often swung close
to or touched patients when the doctors leaned over
hospital beds.

Other research has found that doctors' pens, cellphones and
pagers can harbor potentially harmful micro-organisms.

The microbes found on 20 of 42 ties included strains that
commonly cause in-hospital infections, although none were
of the drug-resistant kind that cause the most concern.

Mr. Nurkin acknowledged that the study showed only that
ties can harbor diseases, not that they transmit them. But
he noted that it might not occur to doctors to wash their
hands after handling their ties. And unlike white coats,
ties are often worn many times between cleanings.

Mr. Nurkin, who is now attending medical school in Haifa,
Israel, said his findings had elicited many suggestions,
among them making bow ties a medical fashion and bringing
back tie pins to keep ties from swinging down.

Or, he said, American doctors could imitate those he sees
in Israel, who never wear ties.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/25/health/25haza.html?ex=1086576965&ei=1&en=689d8c10f2ff2eff

 

[cookypuss3]

More proof that ties are the silliest item of clothing ever invented. Who ever thought that up needs to be strangled with his own invention.

 

[SLUsagar]

you mentioned phoenix....

are you a 3rd student med student there or in residency?


i ask b/c my wife is from AZ and we are strongly considering returning there (from St. Louis where we reside currently) for my residency.
ANy word on the PATH progrm in phoenix???

 

[yaah]

Neckties are rather silly. Originally invented to protect the shirt from wayward food particles, I believe. Now, if you get food on it, you pay money to get food off. In fact, you may even tuck it away while eating. That, I dare say, is ironic.

Bowties are obscene. I would like to say I have never met a normal person who wore a bowtie but that's not true. There are a couple of attendings wearing bowties who can pull it off. You have to earn it though. Any resident who wears a bowtie needs a serious attitude adjustment followed by an enema. In fact, I own a tuxedo but I flat out refuse to wear a bowtie with it. They look dorky, silly, and stupid, if all can be possible at once. They are neither clever, cute, nor attractive. If anyone ever sees me wearing a bowtie, slap me in the face, kick me in the groin until I fall to the ground, and then empty your trashcan on me.

The no tie look can be ok. It all depends. I don't mind regular neckties myself. Those bolo ties, however, dear god. Especially when combined with cowboy boots. Hideous.

 

[Brian Pavlovitz]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!!!! 😀 ---bolo tie flashback...

I wonder why students in clinicals are supposed to wear ties. From what I hear, we don't do a lot of impressing anyway. We may as well be comfortable whilst being pimped!

 

[Weil-Felix]

Those bolo ties, however, dear god. Especially when combined with cowboy boots. Hideous.

When I was at one of my residency interviews, one of my interviewers was wearing a bolo necktie. At first I thought it might be "cowboy dress up day" at the lab, but alas it was not. I couldn't stop staring at it for the entire interview and wondering why his wife actually let him leave the house wearing a something so ridiculous.

 

[Weil-Felix]

I think scrubs on men are hot hot hot. Something about the goodies being a mere yank of a drawstring away... Mrrrrrow!!!

That is hilarious! And THAT'S why I thank the lord every day that my man is an anesthesia resident, and comes home every day in scrubs. Tee hee!

 

[joedogma]

If my interviewer was wearing a bolo tie I think I would have to pretend he was in his underwear or something to distract me. I think it may be bad form to burst into laughter but I don't think I would be able to contain myself. I can see it now, "Mr. Dogma, are you alright boy? Why are your turning red? Heck, your as red as a Texas sunset...Hey Dolly! Git in here and get this boy some water, I think he's gonna blow..." Bolo ties...Why?

 

[cookypuss3]

you mentioned phoenix....

are you a 3rd student med student there or in residency?


i ask b/c my wife is from AZ and we are strongly considering returning there (from St. Louis where we reside currently) for my residency.
ANy word on the PATH progrm in phoenix???

I'm just starting my fourth year now, assuming I pass all those stupid end of the year tests. There is one program here in Phoenix, and I just adore everyone there -- I'm going there without a doubt (just bought a condo w/in walking distance of the hospital). I think, however, that most people would absolutely love it or hate it. I spent a full month there and got a real good feel for the place. It's extremely casual, rather non academic, very self-paced, not professional in the least. Hence, I adore it. Once you've seen attendings do sake bombers, everything is cool. However, I can see how some people (probably the same dorkwads who think wearing ties is a good idea) would be uncomfortable with the atmosphere there -- those who are easily offended need not apply. It all depends on your personality and priorities. I'm happy to answer any more questions for you, let me know.

 

[yaah]

Cookypuss don't you ever like to play dress-up? Nice evening gown and heels for a nice dinner and a show?

The number of adornments one can wear seems to be increasing exponentially. Ties, belts, hats, finger rings, toe rings, bracelets, ankle bracelets, necklaces, watches, second watches, pocket watches, cufflinks, earrings, nose rings, tongue rings, eyebrow rings, nipple rings (dear god, no!), belly button rings, genital rings (why, sweet heavens, why?), tattoos, makeup, nail polish, diamond studs implanted in your scalp, eye glasses, monocles, etc etc. That's a lot of $$$. And to think you have to accessorize for different occasions. These capitalist adornment-brokers really have us all buffaloed, don't they? To think we really need gold hoops hanging from our dangling parts! As someone who has no piercings whatsoever, I am not sure I understand the attraction to them.

I was in Phoenix before. Way too hot. I like them cold weather patterns. And JoeD thank you for reminding me why I avoid all things Texas.

In my impression, though, people who wear bolo ties generally have something wrong with them, but they will insist to the point of belligerance that there is nothing wrong with them. I am not sure if it is ego, a poor sense of what is fashionably hip, taking "being laid back" to the extreme, or just being cheap. I am not sure his wife had anything to do with it. People with bolo ties generally are either not married or unhappily married. Speaking generally, of course.

 

[cookypuss3]

Yaah, there is not a single place in Phoenix where I could walk in in an evening gown and heels and not have everyone look at me like I was some stranded alien. Again -- this is Phoenix. I never wear heels (except for my knee-high leather stiletto boots, reserved for New Year's and other wild nights). I don't own anything remotely close to an evening gown. I don't even own a suit. I don't have any pantyhose, thank God. However, I don't have any piercings, I've weaned myself from toe rings all together, and I firmly believe that ankle bracelets are the warning sign for white trash.

 

[yaah]

Well, I don't wear heels either. If I did I might top 6'6" which would mean I would start hitting door frames. Not good.

No piercings! No pantyhose! No toe rings! You are too good to be true! 😍 I actually don't mind ear piercings on females, but they aren't necessary. Piercings of other sites, however, I can definitely do without. The worst piercing I have ever seen (in terms of how it looks) was this loser who had a ring through his nose, a ring through his ear, and had them connected with a studded chain. Pathetic. His parents must be proud. (The worst piercings I have seen in terms of "why would anyone want that?" are the nipples). And how about these tongue-forking people? Split your tongue down the center, I hear it makes tongue kissing more interesting. Yeah, great, but you probably can't chew anymore, can't speak, probably will get an infection, and lose a lot of your taste. Yeah, great! What was that kissing thing again? Will slutty people go out with me if I get my tongue forked?

Back to scrubs, since that was the original point of this thread. You know, when grossing in there are lots of smells that may kind of attach themselves to you if you are in there for awhile. And splatters are everywhere. Scrubs are very important to have. I just don't know if I can wear them all the time, I need a break so I can change into nicer clothes so I can feel more like I can justify this 23 years of education I have gone through to get there. Dammit, if I was going to spend 23 years in school, I feel like I should have to wear something other than one-tone blue fabric. But then again, if I have spent 23 years in school I should be able to wear whatever I freaking well please. Do you think they will let me spend my days in a "YANKEES SUCK" T shirt and sweatpants?

 

[Primate]

Aaaaaaaahhh, twenty-third grade. The good old days.

Yes, the Yankees do indeed suck, and you could have worn clothing attesting to it during your residency had you come to Penn. 😉

P

 

[cookypuss3]

No piercings! No pantyhose! No toe rings! You are too good to be true! 😍

Don't go getting too excited, now. The uniform outside the hospital is cargo pants, flips, and a handful of tattoos. Fair enough? I even have a tattoo appointment today, good times! Piercings though.... I just never got into them... I had my belly button done but it got crusty and oozy, so gave it up. Nipples and tongue are hideous and repel me. I don't know, people should be soft, and a nice hunk of metal in the middle of it all just doesn't work.

And yes, after 24 years of education, if I want to wear a pink tutu and/or a green mohawk to work, I will. Oi!

 

[SLUsagar]

thanks for the reply...yah, if you wouldn't mind i'd like to ask you a couple of more ?'s about phoenix etc. what's your email addie?

thanks,

SLUsagar