Thread by @medicalaxioms

Let’s see if we can come to some consensus about what a doctor looks and acts like. I’m going to share my experience which may be very limited and provincial. Feel free to share your opinions as we go along to help us flesh out this definition.

Gender: any

Skin tone: limited to the available hues available to humans on earth. (Note: tattoos are okay, so we’ll add the visible spectrum)

Country of origin: limited to the countries on earth

Religion: any. (Note: my nurse friend practices Satanism. He’s very nice)

Hair: I’m going to be conservative about this one. Bald to real long. And everywhere in between. But I think a doctor’s hair should be kinda tidy not full on caveman/woman. Need comments here. I’d like to be more specific. I’m not sure if I know what hair doesn’t look doctory.

Age: 24ish to about 95. Since some of us look/ed young, it’s reasonable to say post-pubertal to very wise and old. I looked about 16 as an intern. So clearly that looks like a doctor.

Clothes: We know scrubs and sneaks are look like a doctor. Just look around you! Also clogs. And my favorite Crocs. Peds doctors have cartoon scrubs so that’s cool. Also leather shoes, and professional dress, whatever that is. Are ties out everywhere? (Cont)

Clothes (this is hard): hoody under a white coat, no white coat, suit, not a tuxedo, no basketball shorts. Sweet high tops okay. No flip flops. Jeans? (I’ve done it but only paired with a white coat in the old days). Wrinkles are okay. I do wrinkles. Carhartts too. (Cont)

Clothes (seriously): I’m not sure if a short sleeve T-shirt without a white coat or something looks like a doctor. Swimsuits are out. Is a tube top still a thing? Not that. As for skirt length, use your own discretion.

Let me know if I missed anything on clothes.

Posture: don’t roll around on the floor. It covered with germs. I slouch a lot in chairs so that clearly is what a doctor looks like. Get near to the patient. They are your subject matter. Sit, stand, kneel, don’t lie down.

Mobility aids: crutches, scooter, wheelchair, cane, boot, walking cast, prosthesis. I e never seen any inversion type thing where you are upside down but I think it’s okay if you have a reason. Fill in any I am missing.

Attitude: you have a lot of leeway here. Enthusiastic, somber, short, clear, to the point, friendly, jolly, curious. That’s what a doctor looks like but that’s not all. Also irritated, frustrated, giddy, surprised, tearful.

Not much isn’t doctory. Maybe really angry. Asleep.

Now we are ready to do “act like a doctor”: act
- attentive
- concerned
- organized
- selfless
- helpful
- patient
- gentle (yes you too, Ortho)
- unhurried
- responsive
- serious
- like you care

I’m sure I’m missing some here. Reply with them so I can add them in.

In summary, if you think a doctor looks like a middle aged white guy you are either a time traveler from 1950 or you live on a different planet from me.

It’s pretty easy to look like a doctor. Acting like one is a little harder but lots of stuff is okay. Like your humanness.