Wardrobe Tips For Rotations

[univlad]

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The "rules" go both ways - we've had some male residents wear their scrubs a little *too* tight. They've been asked to "biggie size" their scrubs. [/B]

Which scrubs were too tight? The tops or the bottoms?

 

[gwyn779]

Originally posted by scully

To all the females out there -- do you ever worry about wearing skirts, or v-neck sweaters (outfits that you would wear to class, or would wear if you were in another profession)? I feel kind of weird about this issue -- I don't want to look bad, but I also don't want to call any attention to myself because of what I am wearing. I personally love to wear skirts, but am afraid to wear them at the hospital for any rotation.

I only wear long skirts so I don't have to worry about what happens when I sit down. And I do wear skirts when I'm on a rotation that people don't wear scrubs for, like Peds. I wear pants much more often, but just because I have more of them and they're easier. Dress comfortably, nicely, but not formally.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Originally posted by univlad
Which scrubs were too tight? The tops or the bottoms?

Ummm...the bottoms. While a tight top might not be the best choice, it usually isn't described as "offensive" or "TMI" on males like pants are.

 

[The Pill Counter]

I guess that would be akin to the ole budgie smugglers worn on the beaches here, huh Kim?

 

[chicamedica]

I have the most embarrassing story to tell. . .

I was wearing my favorite dress pants on the floors on a short call day. Well, that morning, I'd had some trouble with the side-zipper on them, but I got it to work, and didn't think much of it. UNTIL I sat down for lunch and realized that my zipper was completely broken and my undies were in plain view (I have no idea how long I'd been walking around like that!!).

So tip #101: make sure zippers are all intact before wearing something to the floors

tip #102: make sure you have a pair of clean scrub pants with you every day

 

[vietcongs]

Good it was a side zipper and not a front zipper!

 

[8744]

Originally posted by doepug
You'll need khakis and a tie every day, unless you're wearing scrubs. We're only allowed to wear scrubs in the OR, during OB, in a lab setting (eg pathology), or if we're on overnight call and it's past 6 pm.

After all, you'll want your patients to take you seriously, and your dressing well is a sign that you respect your patients.

Har har. Our hospital is a charity hospital serving one of the poorest group of parishes (what you would call "counties") in the state. Considering that a good portion of our patient population have never been introduced, apparently, to soap I'd say that a shave, haircut, and a clean pair of scrubs will suitably impress most of them.

But seriously, I do respect most of our patient or at least pretend to if i don't. I am polite, affable, and non-judgemental. But I really don't care if a 16-year-old G3P3 thinks I'm dissin' her because I'm not wearing a tie. I don't comment on her sex life, I don't expect comments on my attire.

All of the surgery and OB-GYN residents and faculty, and I do mean all, wear scrubs almost exclusively and are taken quite seriously by their patients. In fact, almost everybody wears scrubs all the time except for medicine and peds.

I happen to think that scrubs and a white coat looks professional. Especiallly since most people form thier opinions of doctors from shows like ER. The older generation probably are more comfortable with if their doctor is wearing a tie, but I'm more comfortable in scrubs so unless my resident explicitly tells me to wear a shirt and tie they are out of luck.

Also, in many of the private hospitals in town the dress code is casual for doctors. Our pediatrician, my wife's OB-GYN, and our ENT doctor regularly wear scrubs at their clinics.

 

[irlandesa]

hmm, no one up here cares that much about what you wear to work in up here in the Great White North either. (There is a substantial homeless population in Boston, BTW, contrary to SDN popular belief). I've never heard a patient complain about someone wearing scrubs in my first 2 rotations. Scrubs are fine, though most places seem to prefer that you come in dressed reasonably professionally and change into clean scrubs while there if you're going to wear them. Skirts are also fine as long as they aren't much above the knee, best to wear hoisery if possible, and reasonable looking, comfortable shoes. The only setting I think scrubs would be mildly inappropriate is in an office-based outpatient setting, particularly in pediatrics, where parents seem to like to see their kids' doctors dressed nicely. oh, that's another thing, you might want to ditch the white coat while examining young children cause some of them get upset at the sight. now, even if you aren't the type who cares much what others think, you have to admit it is hard to not want to win over a cute kid🙂

 

[BellKicker]

What an informative thread! I realize now that I have to do some serious shopping before my first US rotation this winter.. I've never owned a tie and my nicest dress shirt is, well, not nice.

Some eyeopeners for me:

Y'all wear Danish shoes!!!!!

Someone suggested ties are mandatory but sneakers are OK. Wow.

Some Scandinavian input:

More than half the girls have underwear showing. An inch or two of bare skin is just considered fashionable.

I wore shorts for one rotation (psych; no lab coat). I didn't think much of it until an attending referred to me as the "young man over there, who looks more like a physical therapy student". Ouch.

 

[GeddyLee]

Everyone at my school wear dress pants or khakis and a shirt and tie. Sneakers with a shirt/tie outfit just looks a little silly, unless you are in 1985. None of the girls have their underwear showing, which in many cases is a blessing, but in some cases....i'd be all for it!

 

[Teufelhunden]

Originally posted by Kimberli Cox
In the US traditionally, medical students wear hip length (or short) coats; the longer ones are reserved for residents. There are some schools in which interns also wear short coats.

Most foreign students wear their long coats. Expect some confusion from nursing staff, though if you aren't required to wear the short coat.

The rules regarding the White Coat are confusing. Last week, during a noon didactic, there were 2 women who I presumed were attendings or residents, because they A) both appeared older and B) they both wore long white coats.

Afterwards, I see their hospital IDs which read, "Physician Assistant Student."

Whatever.

 

[freshity]

you assumed they were attendings because they appeared older? what kind of evidence is that? do you assume everyone walking around the hospital who's older is also a physician? re. the white coat, a lot of people claim that it makes patients feel more at ease to see the white coat, but this is simply not true. that sentiment depends entirely on the patient. most to whom i've spoken really don't care.

so why do people feel the need to be able to identify physicians by what they are wearing and why does it have to be the same everywhere you go? perhaps it's too much to ask to have to inquire with someone as to their exact position or to expect them to id themselves. the people that want physicians to have a special uniform are supporting the preponderous underlying assumption that doctors are inherently very different from the rest of the group, thus deserving special clothes that only they can wear, and probably other special privileges that can make them feel more special. isn't it obvious that this would breed jealousy and resentment in a hospital setting? hospitals are filled with a variety of health care workers wearing lab coats--and they are ALL caring for patients. get it?! it's called a TEAM. get over it. as an aside, feeling special is something that needs to come from within an indivvidual, and truLY, doesn't need to go much further than that. why does there need to be a doctors' uniform? physicians' outfits need only serve a functional purpose given the nature of our work (e.g. sterile scrubbs, practical work clothes, professional appearance, etc). there is no need for us to be identifiable for other reasons. and we certainly don't all need a special white coat.