Tattoos and Clinical Setting

[dmitrinyr]

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I am a second year med student and will be starting my clinical rotations next summer. I am really considering getting a tattoo as I have been thinking about it for the past few years. I was thinking about something that would cover my entire shoulder (deltoid area) and that would be the biggest one that I would get. Probably I'd get something that would just cover the lateral deltoid area. Still I was thinking about if it will be seen through a shirt when I do my rotations and residency (I guess if I get a tattoo I'll try not to wear a white shirt so to maximize the hidding of the tattoo). I was also wondering what the rest of you have thought about this subject and if you have dealt personally with this situation I would really like your imput. I have always been an artistic person and I have always wanted a tattoo but I just never found anything that meant anything to me (I don't really believe in getting tattoos just for their look because you might not like it 10 years from now). I believe that you should get a tattoo that has some deeper meaning to you past how cool it looks. So, If during the winter brake I find something that is meaningful to me, I was going to get it and so I would like you opinions on that. Thanks for any responces.

dmitri

 

[(nicedream)]

I am a second year med student and will be starting my clinical rotations next summer. I am really considering getting a tattoo as I have been thinking about it for the past few years. I was thinking about something that would cover my entire shoulder (deltoid area) and that would be the biggest one that I would get. Probably I'd get something that would just cover the lateral deltoid area. Still I was thinking about if it will be seen through a shirt when I do my rotations and residency (I guess if I get a tattoo I'll try not to wear a white shirt so to maximize the hidding of the tattoo). I was also wondering what the rest of you have thought about this subject and if you have dealt personally with this situation I would really like your imput. I have always been an artistic person and I have always wanted a tattoo but I just never found anything that meant anything to me (I don't really believe in getting tattoos just for their look because you might not like it 10 years from now). I believe that you should get a tattoo that has some deeper meaning to you past how cool it looks. So, If during the winter brake I find something that is meaningful to me, I was going to get it and so I would like you opinions on that. Thanks for any responces.

dmitri

If you're concerned about it showing through a white shirt, just wear an undershirt - I think most guys wear one anyways. I have a tattoo on my forearm, and so do several of my classmates - those can't be hidden (and I don't think it will be necessary).

 

[Sugar72]

I have a 6 inch tattoo on my arm. Usually no one can see it - white coat or long sleeve shirt ...I am one of those girls who is always cold. It is visible when I wear scrubs and I have never had a problem with anyone saying or acting negative about it. mostly I get compliments because it is very well done with lots of good colors. Of course, everywhere I have been has been very laid back. But like most moms say - you have to live with it your whole life, so if you are consulting a message board about whether or not you should do it...it might be that your not quite ready for the commitment.

 

[toofache32]

I wouldn't worry about the tattoo. But are you gonna get the requisite mullet haircut, piercings, and knock out a few teeth? That's when I would start to worry.

 

[Mike59]

Keep in mind that it if it's visible at all, it's not only a factor in med school/residency, but what if you decide to become a surgeon? (just something to think about)

Btw, regarding wearing the white shirt under, at some hospitals I've rotated through they don't let you wear anything under your scrubs otherwise you have to go change before they'll let you in the OR. 🙁

 

[toofache32]

Btw, regarding wearing the white shirt under, at some hospitals I've rotated through they don't let you wear anything under your scrubs otherwise you have to go change before they'll let you in the OR. 🙁

Even females?

 

[Smurfette]

Ha! Nice try. No clothing visible under the scrubs...so a deep v-neck sleeveless undershirt, bras, etc. are ok....but not regular t-shirts, shirts with necklines higher than the scrub neckline or shirts with sleeves longer than the scrub sleeves.

 

[(nicedream)]

Ha! Nice try. No clothing visible under the scrubs...so a deep v-neck sleeveless undershirt, bras, etc. are ok....but not regular t-shirts, shirts with necklines higher than the scrub neckline or shirts with sleeves longer than the scrub sleeves.

That's only on surg though - and it won't show through scrubs. I thought he was concerned about it showing through a white dress shirt since he said he would "try not to wear a white shirt."

 

[Herbie]

I would discourage you from getting a tattoo. Physicians are conservative folks and you'll end up trying to hide it for the rest of your career when you're with your colleagues (especially older physicians). Also, patients generally prefer physicians without tattoos...there is stigma associated with it.

I speak from personal experience. I have a couple of tattoos. Trust me, you will regret it later.

Tattoos look good on young folks because we have studly bodies 😉 .imagine an old fart with wrinkled skin...it looks bad. Same with women. Young women have nice tight skin and are in shape so tattoos may look attractive. When you age, tattoos make you look worse...just something to think about.

Don't desicrate your flesh.

 

[(nicedream)]

I would discourage you from getting a tattoo. Physicians are conservative folks and you'll end up trying to hide it for the rest of your career when you're with your colleagues (especially older physicians). Also, patients generally prefer physicians without tattoos...there is stigma associated with it.

I speak from personal experience. I have a couple of tattoos. Trust me, you will regret it later.

Tattoos look good on young folks because we have studly bodies 😉 .imagine an old fart with wrinkled skin...it looks bad. Same with women. Young women have nice tight skin and are in shape so tattoos may look attractive. When you age, tattoos make you look worse...just something to think about.

Don't desicrate your flesh.

As for patients, they wouldn't see them unless they're on your hand or something. As for older physicians, if they have a problem with it, screw 'em.

 

[lattimer13]

you should get a spider web or two on your elbows...or better yet a teardrop.

 

[Sundarban1]

If you don't want me to be your doctor or colleage because I have a tattoo away with you. The stigma is assocaited with people who dont like people with tattoos. Poo on you.

 

[toofache32]

Here's the tattoo I recommend. It's rated NC-17, so you've been warned:

http://www.rock103.com/pages/crew/pics/?pow=091498

 

[bbake87]

What about getting one on your as* that says "bombs away" or "exit only". That probably won't be seen.

 

[DOtobe]

Keep in mind that it if it's visible at all, it's not only a factor in med school/residency, but what if you decide to become a surgeon? (just something to think about)

One of my attendings on my third year surgery rotation had tats on both arms. And he is now the chief of surgery. 🙂 And none of the patients cared that he had tattoos.

 

[Herbie]

As for patients, they wouldn't see them unless they're on your hand or something. As for older physicians, if they have a problem with it, screw 'em.

Well if those older physicians are your chairman and attendings during your residency and invite you to their home for a pool get-together (which happens, my older brother was a resident with tattoos who avoided pool parties for 5 years)...you'll care then. Especially when those same folks will be writing your letters of rec and recommending you for job or fellowship positions. Then you will really care and won't want to "screw'em".

If you don't like pools, beaches or lakes, go ahead and desicrate your flesh.

 

[Entei]

Well if those older physicians are your chairman and attendings during your residency and invite you to their home for a pool get-together (which happens, my older brother was a resident with tattoos who avoided pool parties for 5 years)...you'll care then. Especially when those same folks will be writing your letters of rec and recommending you for job or fellowship positions. Then you will really care and won't want to "screw'em".

If you don't like pools, beaches or lakes, go ahead and desicrate your flesh.

If their opinion of you hinges on something as inconsequential as whether or not you have a tattoo, then they're probably not the best choice for a recommendation letter anyway. I can't imagine even the most conservative of colleagues suddenly becoming unwilling to recommend you for a job once he/she discovered your tattoo(s) unless he/she already had some doubts about your ability. But maybe I'm just naive when it comes to these sorts of politics.

 

[McGillGrad]

If you are an amazing doctor/surgeon then most people will look past the tattoo. If you are mediocre, then you should think twice because you might need to avoid getting on the bad side of somone's prejudices.

 

[f_w]

> As for patients, they wouldn't see them unless they're on
> your hand or something.

Or your arm if you encounter your patients in scrubs. I have talked to patients and patient families in shorts t-shirt and flipflops. In the end, they don't care how you look like if they trust your abilities as a physician. Most patients tend to be older and for the greater part conservative folks, you might want to consider the image you project to your customers for the 40 years of your career.

> As for older physicians, if they have a problem with
> it, screw 'em.

Yeah, too bad that it tend to be older physicians who have a say in selecting you for a residency or hiring you for their group. Sure, you can rationalize this prospect away by statements like 'if they don't like my tats, I wouldn't want to work for them anyway', but in the end you won't even know which opportunities you lost because your body art rubbed someone the wrong way.

> http://www.rock103.com/pages/crew/pics/?pow=091498

That one is A-OK. If a patient of yours discovers it, you already have bigger problems than body art.