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I am a doctor living in Italy, I should like to wear long hair, but I am afraid this might causeproblems with my patients and my collegues.
What do you think about?
If I had to choose between two doctors who were both the same except one had long hair and the other had short hair, I'd choose the doctor with long hair.
I am a physician living in the US. (Actually I am in an academic position--when I was promoted to full professor I started growing my hair). At first I was also concerned (self-conscious, really) about what my patients would think, but they haven't seemed to care. Most of them I have known for quite some time, and the only remark I can remember was when one of them was asked by a new clerk whether she was a new patient. She said no, that she had known me since my hair was short, and proceeded to list every style in which I had worn it for the past 15 years, concluding with the present length (mid-back in a ponytail). Most patients are concerned about the quality of the care you offer them, and how seriously you listen to their concerns. If you are still building a medical practice, you might want to project an image that would attract a particular clientelle, but if your practice is established, it seems to me that patients value the relationship more than the image.
I am a physician living in the US. (Actually I am in an academic position--when I was promoted to full professor I started growing my hair). At first I was also concerned (self-conscious, really) about what my patients would think, but they haven't seemed to care. Most of them I have known for quite some time, and the only remark I can remember was when one of them was asked by a new clerk whether she was a new patient. She said no, that she had known me since my hair was short, and proceeded to list every style in which I had worn it for the past 15 years, concluding with the present length (mid-back in a ponytail). Most patients are concerned about the quality of the care you offer them, and how seriously you listen to their concerns. If you are still building a medical practice, you might want to project an image that would attract a particular clientelle, but if your practice is established, it seems to me that patients value the relationship more than the image.
I'd say go ahead and grow it and see what happens.
I agree though that Italy can be a pretty conservative place when it comes to long hair on men and you could face problems, compared to your colleagues in North America where long hair is fairly well accepted on professional and working people.
I was in Rome during Christmas 1978 and longhairs were conspicuous by their absense, compared to Britain which had quite a number of longhairs then.
I've never been treated by a longhaired male doctor, pethaps when your hair is long, I'd like to be your patient. What is your area of specialisation. Are your fees reasonable?
Perhaps you'll charge me more for the privelege of being treated by a longhaired doctor, rather than for the treatment itself.
Just joking.
Regards
Charles
Charles:
go ahead and grow it. I am a professional and the only male on staff with hair all one length to the middle of my back. I go to work dressed professionaly tie etc. and the clients don't mind. I wear it braided or in a ponytale. Go for it.
Joseph
One of my neurologists is a longhair (shoulder-length) and is one of the most respected doctors of the area in that field..
R..
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