To dress up for doctor’s appointments?

this made me chuckle. I’m so feckless I can’t even pretend not to be 😂

My mum used to wear her good jewellery when going shopping for something expensive, even if she was just wearing jeans - she said that the shop assistants were more helpful if they could see evidence that you could afford what they were selling.

I know doctors should be different and I think probably at A&E they aren't judging (because if you are willing to go the 15 hour wait then you are obviously genuinely ill), but I do believe that GPs take you more seriously if you are well presented and look 'respectable'. It's human nature to judge and doctors aren't immune from that.
I think we still equate intelligence and importance (and therefore worthy of respect) with appearance. So a mum who looks like a professional or middle class, will still be seen as better equipped to judge when her child needs a dr than the scruffy mum.

It shouldn't make any difference. I wish it didn't, especially now I'm doing well to even get to the surgery without washing, brushing & smoothing myself.

But I look at past medical notes ... "This personable lady; This charming patient; Well-presented despite considerable difficulties ..." and I think, yeah, it gets you more respect. I don't assume anything more nefarious than People Like Us syndrome; doctors are only human. But it makes me wary of becoming Not Like Us, iyswim.

Everyone makes snap judgements about people within seconds of meeting them, it's hardwired, so its quite likely anyone you meet will subconsciously take you more/less seriously based on their initial judgement of you. For that reason I don't think you're being unreasonable. Of course it would be better if humans didn't do this but unconscious bias is very hard to avoid.

I do too!

I’m a nurse. I’ve seen classism play out. I’ve had to call it out before. I’ve seen consultants document about people’s occupations and how they present themselves in ways that aren’t appropriate. I’ve also seen doctors be more friendly and chatty with patients they see ‘are like them’. I’ve never had to fight for a middle class presenting patient to have their concerns taken seriously. It’s all so so so wrong.

Or they’ve read the evidence that says this is a known phenomenon and are sick of not being listened to by their doctors and desperate to do anything which might help.

I think I look really rough without make up...I'm also a bit overweight so unless I'm dressed nicely and well groomed I look like waynetta slob.

Doctors look at buttholes and feet. Why would they care about your face?!

On Child of Our Time^^ they did experiments when the children were about to start school about the best thing you could do for them to help them succeed and the very top one was dressing them nicely and brushing their hair etc as it's human nature to care more about people who are valued by others more and who value themselves.

I'm a doctor. Generally if you are likely to need to be examined please don't wear complicated clothes that will take all the appointment to get off. Otherwise, apart from signs that you may not be coping very well with life (food stains on the clothes etc) i'm not aware that I take much notice what people are wearing. Other oddities may be noticeable eg turning up in a dressing gown and telling me they work full time in a professional job would make me suspicious that not all was as being told. Unconcious bias is always possible though i suppose.

I don’t wear make up to the doctor ever because I think they need to ‘see’ me. You can often see how people are feeling - grey skin, dark circles under eyes, heavy lidded, rashes, flushed cheeks, bloodless lips, green at the gills. All the things make up is designed to hide are signals about our health.

I would have thought better to dress in a way that is you needed to be examined etc would be best - sleeveless if you need an injection or blood test - loose skirt or dress for gynae.
It is more likely to be the receptionist who look down their noses.
I would also try and get DH to take DCs to see GP, dentist or teacher as a lot of prejudice against mothers

You'd be wrong here for sure.

But there is an undeniable difference when I'm dressed in smart work suits.

I wish it wasn't true but it is 🤷‍♀️

I agree OP its a definite thing.

Obviously not by all people who work in healthcare but I do the same.

I think it might be more that they're used to speaking to respected colleagues who are normally dressed smartly.

So all I can think of is the people who feel they have to dress up judge other people by the same standards

Sorry but most weird. Generally I'm visiting the dr because someone is ill, smart appearance really isn't a priority. That said I'm a confident person, well spoken and understand medical terminology due to exh. I'm not intimidated basically

I’ve worked in the NHS for 20 years and I’ve seen it all. From patients who put on their ‘Sunday best’ to be seen (ladies doing their hair, lipstick, nice shoes, gents in shirts and tie with a blazer) to one lady who turned up for an outpatient procedure in her pjs, dressing gown and slippers! I try not to judge but sometimes you do wonder..

Also I work as a support worker,I regularly have to go with people to the gp because they aren't taken seriously and they do get a different outcome when I'm in the room saying the same thing they've already told the doctor. I've had young people be told their mental health must be due to drug use and refused support when they've no history of that due to how they dress and where they live.

My opinion is that this way things are taken more seriously, and from experience this has been the case. Spoke about it with a friend earlier who thinks I’m bonkers!

This is SO interesting because I keep saying to my DH that when I have a docs appointment before work, so I turn up in a smart suit and blouse, they genuinely do seem more receptive and they seem to listen more/make more eye contact.

I thought I was bonkers, so I'm glad to see this thread! 🤣🤣

You need to explore why you're got those feelings, it's not rational.

Absolutely. I’ve noticed that I get taken seriously if I’m dressed smartly. My theory is that if I look like I could afford to sue them they’re more attentive.

YANBU. You can dress up for whatever you like. I don’t personally see the need in this case, but it’s up to you what you wear.

This is actually a proven phenomenon. My Dad always dresses smartly when attending appointments or accompanying my Mum to hers.

Sadly, you’re right. I also send my husband with the kids because he rarely gets treated like a ‘hysterical’ mother. Classism and sexism are alive and well (even with female GPS). Last time I was told my child just had a virus, they ended up in hospital on antibiotics.