Health Professionals with Tattoos

Contributor: DiamondKoala DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement of the tattoos? or the level of treatment (ie doctor versus nurses and other medical staff)? Feel free to comment on what you think might be too many tattoos or inappropriate areas.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I wouldn't go to a doctor or be treated by anyone with visible tattoos.
4
I feel fine if the staff has tattoos, but not my doctor.
1
I don't mind if my doctor has visible tattoos, but only if it's a few.
2
I don't care how many tattoos my doctor has, as long as s/he is qualified.
93
Other, Please Explain
7
Total votes: 107 (107 voters)
Poll is closed
03/01/2012
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Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Almost everybody have tattoos on some part of their bodies nowadays (except for me), so it doesn't make any difference if a physician or other medical personnel have tattoos on them.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
Having tattoos does not make you a delinquent, even if you're covered in them from head to toe. There is not wrong with a person with tattoos. The only reason there is a stigma against them is because we ALLOW there to be. As soon as people stop caring about something so stupid, these people won't seem quite so "scary". There have been stigmas against many people before (black people, gay people, etc.) but that doesn't make them right.

And for the record, I don't have a single tattoo or piercing besides my ears so I'm speaking from a completely unbiased standpoint.
03/01/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement ... more
I absolutely could not care less if my doctors have tats! In fact, when I seen my GYN's little bitty heart tat, it only gave me the impression that she was a person too! Lol. I have no prbs with tats or anything that has to do with appearance when it comes to things like this. Now I wouldn't be totally thrilled to see a long, super greasy headed man with a cold working as my waiter, but that's a hygene matter, not appearance. I don't care what someone looks like at all. The least of my worries.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Secret Pleasure Secret Pleasure
Personally, I am covered in tats so I really don't care if someone regaurdless of their profession has tats for power to them. tats don't define who someone is or how good of a job they do.
03/01/2012
Contributor: JessCee JessCee
Wouldn't mind at all! Same goes for piercings. I like how kendra put it about how it made her feel, "It just gave me the impression that she was a person too" I'd probably have the same reaction.

As far as placement... I'd be somewhat taken aback if they were all over the Doc's face, but I don't think I would say "I don't want to be treated by you" As long as they're qualified I couldn't care less.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Destri Destri
I love tats, and I would just think it made whoever it was really cool. I would probably feel more comfortable with them.

Last time I was in the hospital, a girl with purple hair and full sleeve tats took my blood, and I thought she was great!
03/01/2012
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
I personally have tats myself. So who am I to say I would not go to anyone with them. As long as they carry themselves in a well behaved manners and they tats are not visible, then there is no problem with me. That is why all my tats are to where they can be covered up if need be. Sometimes there are places to where they should not be exposed.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Brandonn Brandonn
not sure.
03/01/2012
Contributor: tinadice tinadice
Quote:
Originally posted by DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement ... more
Personally, i do have any tats but my hubby got alot so they dont bother me
03/01/2012
Contributor: Incendiaire Incendiaire
Getting a tattoo in a location that cannot easily be covered by clothing is a sign of poor judgement, so I would be a little wary.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Roz W Roz W
I don't see how this is an issue. Just saying that someone has a tattoo doesn't tell you much about them (many people have them in places you can't see...and there's a huge range, from tiny ankle butterflies upward). If someone has the type of tattoos that show me that they're more artistically inclined, that tells me they might be more comfortable dealing with people from different walks of life.
03/01/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I would love if my doctor had tattoos! Tattoos don't have anything to do with how qualified someone is to do their job. I work in a professional job and I have four tattoos. I have to hide them for work, which I think is silly.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Lizzy Lizzy
Not into tats.
03/01/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I personally don't have any tattoos, I spent a lot of my younger years pregnant and nursing small children. But, My Man has several of them and the OB who took care of me during all my pregnancies had them. So did a number of the younger doctors, residents and even a few older doctors I've worked with.

The only thing that would throw me off would be that "bald with a tattooed head" look. I don't personally care for this look, but I don't like the look of ANY bald white men, so it's just me. Also, gauged ear holes look a bit juvenile to me, but again, that's just my bias. I don't know any doctors who gauge.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
I want to be a physician and I have one tattoo and want a few more. I don't care as long as they aren't "bad" tattoos like people dying and pistols and pot leafs or anything hahaha.
03/01/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I don't care one way or another. I don't have any because I'm terrified of needles, but having a tattoo or not doesn't qualify if the doctor is good at their job or not.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
My first instinct is to say "I don't care what kind of tattoos you have or how visible they are as long as you're qualified" but then I started thinking a bit more. The type can really make a difference in whether or not I want to be treated by you. For the most part, I don't care, but I don't think I would want to be treated by a doctor with say, a swastika tattoo that was plainly visible. So it would depend for me, but for the most part I don't care as long as my health care provider is competent.
03/01/2012
Contributor: MeliPixie MeliPixie
As long as they're competent and qualified to be treating me, I couldn't care less. When I find an OB/GYN, I home s/he has tattoos, for what it's worth.
03/01/2012
Contributor: dhig dhig
don't care either way
03/01/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
My first instinct is to say "I don't care what kind of tattoos you have or how visible they are as long as you're qualified" but then I started thinking a bit more. The type can really make a difference in whether or not I want to ... more
You make a good point. Swastikas, pot leaves, drug needles etc have no place on someone who you NEED to trust with your life.

I have no problem with marijuana if people want to smoke it, but I don't want my doctor so involved with it that he feels he needs to have a leaf tattooed on his body. And a swastika? I'd probably leave the office.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement ... more
I really think this may be a generational/age thing. We are "older" and as much as I know Tattoo's have become "common", they simply say something inside that makes me feel uncomfortable. First impressions are everything and you can "never make a first impression a second time". The moment I see a Tattoo, or facial piercing, etc, it says "scary". Sorry...just the truth. It says the person is not concerned about their appearance or what "anyone else thinks". That may be fine for them, however, when I want someone to CARE for my health, I want someone who DOES conform to a certain extent. I want someone who is MAINSTREAM and STABLE, and so I would NOT feel comfortable with a doctor walking in the room with a bunch of tattoos. Just my honest take.

Sorry...I will take this one step further. I have almost never, EVER walked out on a restaurant seating, but a few months ago, we were seated at a "family dining" place and when the waitress came up, she had multiple lip, ear and nose piercings. I felt actual waves of nausea looking at this previously attractive young lady who made herself look like she had been in a motor vehicle accident and suffered multiple shrapnel wounds, with the metal still sticking out. I asked my hubby to PLEASE leave with me, NOW...explaining why when we got out the door. I swear I would have tossed my cookies looking at her SELF damaged face. All I could think of was 1. how sad she did this to herself and 2. I BET before she is 30, SHE will regret it. We still live in a world where people ARE judged by how they look and present. This is NORMAL and NATURAL. A wolf is welcomed by other wolves when their ears are down. If they approach with a "style" with teeth bared, they are going to be attacked or killed. I firmly believe we have certain hard wired "friend or foe" programming that we are born with. When we deliberately choose to make ourselves look scary to others, then WE have chosen the eventual rejection and scorn we might face. I bet that young lady waitress was probably a nice girl, working hard to earn her pay, but I simply was physically ill seeing her. I wonder if she understood HER choices could have that kind of effect on people (since I bet I am NOT the only one).

Tattoos are not usually that bad....but some folks are SO over the top...

I don't get it.
03/01/2012
Contributor: RavenWings RavenWings
As long as they do a good job, I could care less.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
I want to be a physician and I have one tattoo and want a few more. I don't care as long as they aren't "bad" tattoos like people dying and pistols and pot leafs or anything hahaha.
HEADS up dear Ryuson. You say you want to be a physician. You are about to enter a VERY traditional industry where the folks JUDGING your entry into school, residency...etc, are made by people 50 to 90 years old. I promise you, if you have ANY tattoo's that show....ANY....you immediately hurt or demolish your chances of getting into medical school. I could care less how good your MCAT scores and your GPA, you immediately knock your chances WAY down. WAY, WAY down.

Please trust me on this.

Are there medical students and doctors with Tat's? Sure. Have they made it a LOT harder on themselves? YUP.

I cannot give you any details, but I can say that one VERY amazing young man, who SHOULD have ended up a cardiac surgeon was denied several cardiac residencies and in TWO situations I know of as FACT, part of it was "did you see that dragon tattoo on his neck" (tiny one, behind his ear).... That "dragon" immediately burned every other facet of his potential. Period.

Just fair warning and advice. Your choices now DO have serious consequences later.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I would love if my doctor had tattoos! Tattoos don't have anything to do with how qualified someone is to do their job. I work in a professional job and I have four tattoos. I have to hide them for work, which I think is silly.
Well...try going to work WITHOUT hiding them, and see the response from other professionals and from your patients. If they don't matter, you shouldn't have to hide them...but they DO matter, and you realize this.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by PeaceToTheMiddleEast
I personally have tats myself. So who am I to say I would not go to anyone with them. As long as they carry themselves in a well behaved manners and they tats are not visible, then there is no problem with me. That is why all my tats are to where ... more
PLEASE explain the attraction. Some of us old folks just don't get it. Why get something done to your body you have to hide anyway??? PLEASE, honestly, explain it. I would love to TRY and understand.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Secret Pleasure
Personally, I am covered in tats so I really don't care if someone regaurdless of their profession has tats for power to them. tats don't define who someone is or how good of a job they do.
Honest question. 1. Why are you "covered in tats", 2. Do you feel it honestly does not telegraph anything about you to others? 3. If it does "say something" to the world, WHAT does it say? 4. Do you honestly think that slightly older folks don't judge you at all (including your skill and competence...no matter how unfair), based on those tats???

I am trying to understand, really.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Destri
I love tats, and I would just think it made whoever it was really cool. I would probably feel more comfortable with them.

Last time I was in the hospital, a girl with purple hair and full sleeve tats took my blood, and I thought she was great!
WOW...I can tell you, she is lucky she had a job. Many, MANY hospitals still would not have hired her. She is an oddity in the health care field.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
Almost everybody have tattoos on some part of their bodies nowadays (except for me), so it doesn't make any difference if a physician or other medical personnel have tattoos on them.
No...not "almost everybody". As common as they SEEM to be, a recent poll, I heard about, by a grad student, in fact, found that UNDER 30, the percent of Americans with Tat's was less then 25%. Under 25 it was about 25%. That means 75%...three out of four, even YOUNG people do NOT have tattoos. That is FAR from "almost everybody". It is still the vast minority, in fact.

Here are some similar numbers (24%) between 18 and 50.

link
03/01/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
Having tattoos does not make you a delinquent, even if you're covered in them from head to toe. There is not wrong with a person with tattoos. The only reason there is a stigma against them is because we ALLOW there to be. As soon as people stop ... more
You are RIGHT. Having the tats does not make you ANYTHING. However, you have to ask what MESSAGE does it send to others? We are visual creatures and form opinions based on FIRST VIEW. It is out nature. That will NOT change. A big, burly guy, carrying a BAT may be just a guy out to play ball with his buddies, but my ALERT brain goes WAY into overdrive, verses a little old lady walking by on a walker. That is just HUMAN NATURE and our programming for survival. SO...having TATs does broadcast things about us to others. The questions is, WHAT?
03/01/2012