If you dress like a doctor and talk like a doctor but have tattoos like a biker, will your patients still trust you? Well, it turns out that a hospital in Pennsylvania set out to study this question back in August 2018. Researchers found that it doesn’t much matter if a physician has tattoos or not – patient experience and opinion of the doctor didn’t waver either way. Other studies, however, have shown that if a doctor is wearing regular clothes instead of a typical white coat and scrubs attire, this can affect patient perspective. However, despite these studies and the increasingly lax attitude toward tattoos throughout the world, some hospitals still have strict policies about tattoos. Here are some things you should consider about doctors with tattoos as a locum tenens physician.
Different hospitals may have a different policy about doctors with tattoos
Depending on where you are working, there could be different rules about tattoos. While many hospitals are not really concerned with tattoos anymore, there are still some that have strict rules about not having them showing. This could be due to the cultural or religious views of the patients in that area, or it might just be that the policy hasn’t reviewed or updated in a very long time. As a locum tenens physician with tattoos, this is something to pay close attention to before you sign a contract. Here are two things doctors with tattoos should do before taking a locum tenens assignment.
Talk to your employer before you sign your contract
First, talk to your potential employer ahead of time to find out the hospital’s policy on tattoos. You don’t want to sign a contract, arrive at the hospital, and then realize that your tattoos are going to be an issue. The worst thing would be to have your contract cancelled and have to scramble to line up more work. We highly recommend being proactive about this. The tattoo policy is an issue they might not think to mention during the quick interview process.
Be respectful of the rules
Next, whatever the rules may be – whether you agree with them or not – the best thing you can do is be respectful of them. If there are no tattoo rules in place, this is likely because some sort of stigma still exists about doctors with tattoos. However, if you lash out or act disrespectful in any way, this will just legitimize this stigma for the people in charge. Instead, be respectful about the situation and make a good first impression. Then, they may be more likely to review their rule book and make adjustments in the future.
There are steps you can take to cover your tattoos
Of course, there are steps you can take to cover your tattoos. If you have tattoos, you already know that if there’s a way to always have them covered – they’re not worth mentioning. If they are small enough and on a visible part of your body, a little make up might do the trick. (Although reapplying is a commitment and may not always be possible in a busy physician’s shift.)
If you’re in medical school and considering getting a tattoo, first and foremost, consider the location. Don’t bank on the fact that in a few years, no one will care about tattoos. Depending on the type of hospital you’re needed to work in, there may always be religious groups that don’t agree with tattoos. Of course, a simple solution – don’t seek contracts in medical centers such as these.
Although a tattoo could potentially limit your list of locum tenens options, it is more than likely not going to be something that holds you back from being successful as a doctor.
What are your thoughts on doctors with tattoos? Share them in the comments below!
