To dress up for doctor’s appointments?

[PollencaCalling]

Really re: classism in medicine!

Unless desperately ill I never go to see a GP/consultant etc without making sure that I’m looking well put together. Of course I’m not talking formal attire - just nice, tidy outfit and good hair/makeup. 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!

Although it shouldn’t be the case I do think that to some extent I am justified in thinking this. Some doctors certainly do still have a class bias and I have experienced it myself. Took DD to A&E a few years ago and got quite a nasty doctor who implied that she was making it up! Once she took her coat off and revealed a hoodie from her (quite MC grammar school) his opinion of her completely changed and he couldn’t have been more pleasant or helpful. It really bothered me at the time and has stuck with me since

Anyone?

You sound deranged

Don't be ridiculous!

I think A&E drs have got other things to think about than your outfit tbh

If I am ill enough to see a doctor I wouldn't give a toss what I am wearing.
Totally not a priority.
The thing about the school hoodie was probably your imagination.

I do too op.

If I'm taking my kids to appointments I always dress nicely and use my nice handbag and make sure my hair is done and I'm wearing make up. Even though I have absolutely no reason to be worried, I've always been absolutely terrified that if I'm not nicely put together they'll think I'm a useless feckless mother who can't cope.

How weird

I do think this is true but it shouldn't be. When I was on mat leave I remember throwing myself together to get to an early dentist appointment and I was 3 minutes late because the car park outside was full and I had to park elsewhere and walk down with the pram. It was a really hard morning and we had both been up since 4am and ds was distraught any time I set him down to get myself ready. Not a great morning. Had my hair scraped back, leggings and a hoodie on and the receptionist refused me (fair enough i was late) but talked to me like I was a piece of dirt and alluded that I just couldn't get myself out of bed and insisted I should make an afternoon appointment incase I slept in again. I left in floods of tears. Next time I went was after work so I was much better put together and she was so much more professional towards me.

This is sad. As if having money/interested in bling makes you a good parent??

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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! 🤣🤣

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.

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..

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

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

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

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 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

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'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.