Public Poll: Do you think a doctor should wear a tie?

[Scanner]

Hey, I know most of these poll questions usually results in a "depends" but I thought I would just ask the general question first and then have the discussion ensue specific to me to follow.

[GREENBACK]

I couldn't care less and the last two I visited weren't wearing ties. It did make things seem a little less clinical.

[MonkeyMama]

Um, no? They usually wear a lab coat?

I said no, maybe could have gone with indifferent. But I am not a fan of ties, in general. I'm not a man, but they look rather uncomfortable. I always appreciated having much more freedom of wardrobe, as a professional!

[disneysteve]

I've read a couple of reports, especially when the swine flu outbreak was in full force, that ties are big harbingers of germs since they never get cleaned. Doctor sees one patient, leans over to examine her, stuff gets on tie. Then goes and sees next patient, leans over, tie touches him and so on. Some hospitals have started no tie policies for infection control reasons.

[Broken Arrow]

I see no practical value for wearing one here, and after reading Steve's comment, I now prefer that my primary care physician to NOT wear a tie.

[Scanner]

It's interesting and I actually did predict this.

As far as a practical reason - when is there ever a practical reason to wear a tie? They are the most impractical piece of accessory ever invented.

I actually love wearing a shirt and tie to the office but don't anymore. . .I wear scrubs. I found the shirt and tie actually made the patients feel uncomfortable (maybe intimidated, not sure?) but there's something about getting dressed up that puts me in "professional mode" and I actually think I deliver better care (I'm sure it's self-observer bias there). I will admit though. . .during the 100 degree day summers, I used to "break down" and put on a shirt sleeve shirt, even though it made me look like an appliance salesman.

I feel like I am dressed for work when I am wearing a shirt and tie vs. being in pajamas. I was listening to NPR the other day and many workplaces are thinking of ditching casual Fridays and such stating that we need to get back to serious work as a country with the economy in the crapper, that it was bad fad in the first place.

I was thinking of going back to it but probably won't based so far on the poll results.

[disneysteve]

For the record, I stopped wearing a tie over 9 years ago when I took my current job. And MonkeyMama, I have never worn a lab coat since finishing training in 1993.

[maat55]

At the prices they charge, they should wear a tuxedo.

[Scanner]

DisneySteve,

Doctor to doctor. . .you and I both know that authority and respect comes from being a good leader, example and delivering competent care in a caring manner. A white shirt and tie are no substitute for those qualities.

Aside from the obvious gender bias of my poll question, that being said, do you think that perhaps there have been some negative ramificaitons in doctors of all kinds becoming too casual in the patient encounter and patients actually coming to expect it?

Maybe it's kind of pathetic or at least a sign of the times that the people are turning to a guy in a white shirt and tie, obviously competent, black American politician for all the healthcare answers? Again, I don't mean to suggest a white shirt and tie is a panacea. . .just an interesting social shift, probalby Baby Boomer driven who believed in "Resisting Authority."

It is interesting though that Dr. Oz comes out in scrubs on Oprah.

[Scanner]

At the prices they charge, they should wear a tuxedo.

LOL!

[Ima saver]

I don't think they should wear a tie, but I don't want to see a doctor with no shirt on!! Course, I have only been to a doctor twice in my entire life!

[simpletron]

I've read a couple of reports, especially when the swine flu outbreak was in full force, that ties are big harbingers of germs since they never get cleaned. Doctor sees one patient, leans over to examine her, stuff gets on tie. Then goes and sees next patient, leans over, tie touches him and so on. Some hospitals have started no tie policies for infection control reasons.

this reminds me of when I worked in a jet engine lab where ties were banned for safety reasons, even when vistors in suits came to visit, they were suppose to take the tie off before entering(and put on safety glasses and earplugs). ties are just a big safety hazard - always getting in the way, dragged across tables and open flames, and getting caught on moving machinery.

all else being equal, I prefer a doctor that wears a dress shirt and lab coat without a tie.

[GREENBACK]

all else being equal, I prefer a doctor that wears a dress shirt and lab coat without a tie.

I know the lab coat looks professional and all but unless it's changed from patient to patient I could see this spreading germs similar to a tie. Those coats tend to be baggie and often drape over the patient somewhat. Just a thought.

I say leave the coats to chemists and rocket scientists in photo ops..

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I don't care what my M.D. wears. I think he does usually (always? Not sure.) wear a long lab coat.

Have heard in the past that both labcoats and ties can be source of spreading pathogens. Have also heard doctors tend not to clean their coats every day.

[kork13]

Personally, I would say keep the dress shirt, lose the tie. I've been wearing ties for a long time, and have never really liked them. In my humble opinion, an open-collared dress shirt looks adequately professional while at the same time more casual, less intimidating, and more personable than the businessman look of the tie.

Oh, and as to scrubs -- hate them, can't stand having my caregivers (doc, dentist, nurse, etc.) wear them. Maybe some sort of paranoia or flashback, but I see them and am only reminded of surgery, blood, ICU's, and bad TV dramas... They somehow make me nervous. Not to mention they're not professional-looking in the least.