I'm a male physician who prefers not to wear a tie because of germs, but worry I'll be deemed unprofessional

Question

What do you feel is best to do? It's not like I can take the time to explain to every patient I see the very logical reason why I'm not wearing a tie, but I'm sure some patients will secretly feel I'm not professional enough without the tie. By the way, I refuse to wear a bow tie or a bolo tie.

Ties have been shown to contain more germs than a toilet seat. I can tell you as a male that wears a tie almost every day that I can understand why. Obviously when we eat there's trouble, but what about when I'm leaning over a sick patient or sitting on the toilet for that matter. Any guy whose worn a tie enough to know can tell you, there bound to touch anything nasty you can think of.

Answer 1

Few pediatricians I know wear bow ties, I know how you feel about them. I wonder if you can use Febreeze daily to keep the germ count at bay.

I admire your concern. My father often complains about physicians who do wear ties for this reason. I had to wear a tie for my uniform when I was in Catholic school. I often wonder why they don't come with a more washer-friendly material.

I'd be lying if I say you can look professional without a tie. I'm an architect, and most of my male co-workers do not wear ties. They dress like the "Ted" on the TV show "How I Met Your Mother". They look professional as architects, but I seriously doubt people would trust them for medical advices.

If you do wear a tie, get a tie clip so that it's securely pinned to your shirt. Get one that's the right length for you.

I would just buy multiple ties if I were you. Get the polyester ones and wash them on weekends. You can buy laundry bags or put them in a pillow case and toss them in the washer with the delicate cycle. The cleaning bill would be murder if you own silk ones.

Answer 2

I am a cancer patient so I am around doctors all the time. None of them ever wear a tie. I don't think you need to give your patients an explanation as to why you are not wearing a tie. One of my doctors always wears turtlenecks, 2 others wear dress shirts, and another seems to like plaid shirts. Your patients probably won't even notice if you wear a tie or not. If it would make you feel more comfortable, just wear really nice dress shirts with no tie.

Answer 3

Hi Dr, how sweet of you to wish to be viewed in a positive manner by your patients. That is very considerate of you. Now, with that said, I don't think your not wearing a tie will offend most patients. My Dr. doesn't wear a tie and it never offended me once nor did I ever think he was unprofessional. What about female Dr.s? They don't wear ties and nobody thinks twice of it. I understand that the fact they are female precluded them from the expectation of wearing a tie. However, in our current day and age it is becoming less of a question of how one dresses than the manner in which one conducts oneself. I honestly believe that if you have developed a good bedside manner and accomplish your job in a competent and efficient manner that your patients will not think any less of you if you do not wear a tie.

Perhaps putting an easy to read sign on a visible section of the wall or door explaining in a funny manner how many germs are on ties and therefore as you do not wish to contaminate your patients you take it off for work that should be effective. I truly don't believe this is necessary, but it is for you to decide what works for you.

Good luck and have a great day. I think your patients are lucky to have a Dr. who is so concerned about his patients.

Answer 4

I think its ok.. cause i havent really seen any doctors wearing ties. Only if I see them heading to meetings and social things. I think getting good care to the patient is most important than a tie... if the patients are too busy worrying why your not wearing a tie, they must not be too sick..

Answer 5

it's okay not to wear a tie. my male colleagues, don't wear a tie at all, they wear just polo shirts and slacks and khakis . I myself wear scrubs when I go to work. The important thing here is your "bedside manner" to your patients, I don't think they would notice the tie as much. Most patients care about is two things: 1) How to stay healthy and 2) When will I get better so I can go back to the normal me>

Answer 6

I really don't think i is a big deal. Actually I can't remember a doctor ever wearing a tie. Maybe a few older folks will have an issue, but I really think the majority of people are paying attention to your bedside manor. My sons pediatrician wears jeans and polo shirts and I've never thought twice about his professionalism.

Answer 7

I know that there are tie thingies that you can use to pin the tie to your shirt, so it's not flapping in the wind. You can get them at Sears, JC Penney, or Men's Wearhouse, here in MN. I like those better than when they don't wear them, and it's a logical solution for you. Patients won't be touching it, it wouldn't be dangling in front of you, being an easy target for those germs to collect.

Answer 8

working at a doctors office myself, i will have to say that allot of doctors think about this, and their solutions are quite easy.
you can wear a tie, just try doing the following:
when you are seeing a patient or whatever, throw your tie over your shoulder. patients will think of you as being more human friendly, and not a stiff.

wear a chain that holds the tie to the shirt (i can't remember what they call- them things) wear your lab coat, and keep it buttoned up.

or just don't wear a tie at all. but, if you do this make sure that you wear your lab coat, and make sure you take it to the dry cleaners and have it pressed. it looks more professional.

Answer 9

My physician never wears a tie and the thought that he might not be professional has never crossed my mind because he's very professional when it comes to my physical well being. Please, let your expertise speak for itself and just ditch the tie. Germs or not, just ditch it. It'll probably make you look more approachable as well and personally I think that's very important when it comes to a person I have to share some pretty intimate moments with.

Answer 10

Dont you wear a Doctor's robe which mainly covers your tie anyway?! in any event, I would think most people will contribute your professionalism to your attitude and behaviour rather then your attire. Give it a shot and try it out, remember then when you take something from direction you can make up for it in the other. ie. No tie = More smiles :-)