Tattoos and Doctors?

[Gut Shot]

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more like late 70's and early 80's when hard rock came onto the scene big time

Rockers opened the door, but I maintain it was the 90's when it truly blossomed into a widespread, mainstream phenomenon.

I can understand your first two points, but number 3 makes zero sense. Just about anything you do that isn't for a long term benefit can be seen as an indicator of shortsighted thinking.

I would consider marriage is a great indicator of shortsighted thinking because the consequences can be HUGE if you regret doing it later in life, but for some reason it is universally accepted.

I find it somewhat difficult to analogize something as complex as marriage with getting a tattoo in this day and age. I did a quick search to see if anyone has studied tattoo regret, and found this. My own take home message would be to wait until you're 25, but I understand that is not realistic advice.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

http://www.census.gov/compendia/sta...arriages_divorces/marriages_and_divorces.html

I do agree with waiting until you know it's something you're certain you want. Some people mature faster than others, but 25 is probably a good age.

edit: also, I must admit that I did regret one of my tattoos, but only because it was poorly done. I got it covered up with a larger one and now I don't regret anything. I didn't read that article, but I'd be willing to bet that a lot of those regrets are because the artist did a poor job.

 

[dsoz]

There is only one tattoo that I would ever get. On my chest I would put

DNR/DNI

And hope to all that is good that the emergency department staff pay attention.

dsoz

 

[Narmerguy]

No, he is legit. Interestingly, his services include tattoo removal.

That's actually encouraging, thanks 👍

 

[ArseneWengered]

Shadowed one of the country's best gynecological oncologists and he had obvious tattoos on him that his patients would see in the OR. This didn't take away from his credibility as one of the world's best.

 

[S198]

In the USAF officers are not allowed to get tattoos, so if you want to go to the usuhs, they migh not accept you.

 

[Dral]

If having the tattoo would mean something to you, then by all means get it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Yes, yes it does.

If I was hiring one of two people to work in a clinic who were about equal except one had a visible tattoo...I'd hire the non-inked person for professional reasons.

Idealistically believing it shouldn't matter versus whether it really does matter are two separate things.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

What is it with the necrobumps this week?

 

[RaspberrySlushy]

Depends where you are. I live near OHSU and lots (and I mean lots) of docs, nurses, med students, etc have visible tattoos. It's really commonplace here.

 

[tonesofheresy]

So I didn't read all of the other responses but here are my two cents. I have a bunch of tattoos for various chapters in my life, but when I throw on a suit and tie, I look as professional as the next guy and no one's the wiser. If you had knuckle tattoos or others that a suit won't cover, you might have some issues, but remember that whenever it matters (interviews, meetings, etc.) you're likely to be wearing rather concealing clothing. Get your whole body covered! Nobody has to know 🙂

 

[AdrianVeidt]

So I didn't read all of the other responses but here are my two cents. I have a bunch of tattoos for various chapters in my life, but when I throw on a suit and tie, I look as professional as the next guy and no one's the wiser. If you had knuckle tattoos or others that a suit won't cover, you might have some issues, but remember that whenever it matters (interviews, meetings, etc.) you're likely to be wearing rather concealing clothing. Get your whole body covered! Nobody has to know 🙂

this and nothing else. well said.

 

[prado]

So I didn't read all of the other responses but here are my two cents. I have a bunch of tattoos for various chapters in my life, but when I throw on a suit and tie, I look as professional as the next guy and no one's the wiser. If you had knuckle tattoos or others that a suit won't cover, you might have some issues, but remember that whenever it matters (interviews, meetings, etc.) you're likely to be wearing rather concealing clothing. Get your whole body covered! Nobody has to know 🙂

this and nothing else. well said.

And when you're wearing scrubs for a majority of the day. What then?

 

[tonesofheresy]

And when you're wearing scrubs for a majority of the day. What then?

Well, I think you're making the assumption that patients will care, which I don't believe is valid. I think one's skill and competence should speak for itself. Sure, a patient may not want a doctor with tattoos but there are also patients who refuse help from a doctor with colored skin. Maybe a poor analogy but I don't see it as any different. Tattoos are so commonplace that I highly doubt the majority of people would care and for the few that do, oh well.

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[TooMuchResearch]

Well, I think you're making the assumption that patients will care, which I don't believe is valid. I think one's skill and competence should speak for itself. Sure, a patient may not want a doctor with tattoos but there are also patients who refuse help from a doctor with colored skin. Maybe a poor analogy but I don't see it as any different. Tattoos are so commonplace that I highly doubt the majority of people would care and for the few that do, oh well.

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You're right, it is a terrible analogy. It is wrong for individuals to judge others based on inherent characteristics (i.e. skin color). Tattoos don't come with the baby. They are placed on the adult by choice.

 

[DokterMom]

Well, I think you're making the assumption that patients will care, which I don't believe is valid. I think one's skill and competence should speak for itself. Sure, a patient may not want a doctor with tattoos but there are also patients who refuse help from a doctor with colored skin. Maybe a poor analogy but I don't see it as any different. Tattoos are so commonplace that I highly doubt the majority of people would care and for the few that do, oh well.

Spoken like a young 20-somethiing.

Sure, skill and competence are what matters, but how does a patient judge a physician's skill and competence? In the first five minutes, all s/he's got to go on is appearance, and visible tattoos are a visible declaration of the decisions that person has made. Most of your 20-30 something patients might not form any negative opinions from a 'tasteful' tat, but your over-50s are pretty likely to.

Why handicap yourself? Keep 'em private.

 

[tantacles]

Hey guys!

Alright so I know there are a few other threads about this topic but I have a pretty specific question that I wanted others' input on (just for kicks). I have been thinking for a while now about getting a tattoo on my forearm, all the way up the forearm. Now, before you all freak out and say IT'S VISIBLE THAT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA.. the tattoo would just be the word 'survivor'. I had cancer two years ago (I'm a sophomore now in college) and that's what the tat would be about- me surviving cancer. Added to this is the fact that the reason I want to be a doctor is because of my whole cancer year and everything that happened.

So, what do you all think? Is it a bad idea regardless or is it maybe not as bad as getting some Japanese symbol or other typical tat?

I'm not reading the entire thread, but I will say that visible tattoos are generally fine. A girl in my class has full sleeves done, and I guarantee you she'll be just fine.

 

[def1]

You're right, it is a terrible analogy. It is wrong for individuals to judge others based on inherent characteristics (i.e. skin color). Tattoos don't come with the baby. They are placed on the adult by choice.

I agree its not a very well thought out analogy. But people are way too judgmental in general. Who cares if your doctor has a tattoo, if they made it through medical school they are obviously competent enough to be good doctors.

Because of this outdated idea that arose from old grannies associating tattoos with gangsters and bad guys, we are supposed to not move on from that ridiculous judgement. Pretty dumb in my eyes.

I will agree its best to keep tattoos in places you can hide though, though i think that it will slowly change over the next few decades once this generation of young adults starts aging.

 

[CsHead]

Well, I think you're making the assumption that patients will care, which I don't believe is valid. I think one's skill and competence should speak for itself. Sure, a patient may not want a doctor with tattoos but there are also patients who refuse help from a doctor with colored skin. Maybe a poor analogy but I don't see it as any different. Tattoos are so commonplace that I highly doubt the majority of people would care and for the few that do, oh well.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

I think you might want to pop into the EM forum and read the recent (past 2 weeks?) thread on tattoos.

 

[Eiot]

In the USAF officers are not allowed to get tattoos, so if you want to go to the usuhs, they migh not accept you.

I don't think that's true. Could you provide a source?

 

[niki9]

I recently got a tattoo on my bra band so I can even wear a bikini and you can't see it though I'm contemplating getting another one on my back. I'm really happy with my tattoo. The only regret I can imagine is if I died, my mom needed to id the body and saw my tattoo (I have conservative immigrant parents).

 

[neurodoc]

I believe the original question was whether or not tattoos would affect an applicant's chances of being accepted, not whether tattooing is generally a good or bad thing.

I don't have any tattoos, but I think getting a tattoo is a personal decision. Tattooing has to be considered in light of ones society and culture/subculture. If you are from certain Pacific Islander societies, extensive body tattooing is considered normal.

US medical school candidates will be interviewed by folks who tend to be somewhat "conservative" as regards social behavior. Tattoos, especially those that are readily visible during an interview (like on the face, neck, distal forearms, or hands) are likely to alarm interviewers. Indeed, the presence of facial/neck/hand tattoos may prompt folks to think that the tattooed applicant is a sociopath, especially if the tattoos have antisocial messages (like F**K YOU inked on the knuckles, or Swaztikas/SS Thunderbolts, etc). I'd definitely advise against getting such tattoos if you want to avaiod making a bad impression during an interview.

One of my med school professors (OB-GYN) had a left forearm tattoo, which he got during WW II. It was a serial number applied by the Nazi's. He emigrated to the US after WW II, and I don't know if he tried to cover it up when he came here. 🙁

 

[preMedDonut]

I believe the original question was whether or not tattoos would affect an applicant's chances of being accepted, not whether tattooing is generally a good or bad thing.

I don't have any tattoos, but I think getting a tattoo is a personal decision. Tattooing has to be considered in light of ones society and culture/subculture. If you are from certain Pacific Islander societies, extensive body tattooing is considered normal.

US medical school candidates will be interviewed by folks who tend to be somewhat "conservative" as regards social behavior. Tattoos, especially those that are readily visible during an interview (like on the face, neck, distal forearms, or hands) are likely to alarm interviewers. Indeed, the presence of facial/neck/hand tattoos may prompt folks to think that the tattooed applicant is a sociopath, especially if the tattoos have antisocial messages (like F**K YOU inked on the knuckles, or Swaztikas/SS Thunderbolts, etc). I'd definitely advise against getting such tattoos if you want to avaiod making a bad impression during an interview.

One of my med school professors (OB-GYN) had a left forearm tattoo, which he got during WW II. It was a serial number applied by the Nazi's. He emigrated to the US after WW II, and I don't know if he tried to cover it up when he came here. 🙁

That right there is awesome, haha. If I saw someone with those tattoos I would laugh. I personally have 3 tattoos, but all hidden under a short sleeve shirt. Actually about to get a fourth one on the other side of my body. Each one resembles something different in my life and I feel like it's branded in my mind and soul until I die.

 

[BLACKMD]

I have 6 tattoos and I'm in the army. Army has pretty stringent standards now coming out and all of mine are considered conservative by them so I'm not worried. My daughters names are in small script on each wrist. Those are the only visible in a t shirt. I plan on getting more but they will not be visible in a t shirt either.

 

[Gauss44]

Agreed. If you are going into medicine, a visible tatoo is a really bad idea. That is a reality sandwich you are just going to have to eat.

This discussion reminds me of the liver transplant doctor's attitude toward people with tattoos on this show: http://www.amazon.com/In-Sickness/dp/B005MLQHO0