Do you think Physicians react differently to an attractive patient?

[MsDisney23]

Mind blowing I recently did some research on this, and the finding was that a physician will spend more time with a patient that they feel is attractive or comes from a social background... etc. upper class. Your thought's on this?

 

[Liberty Belle]

I believe it. Afterall, they're only human.

I also believe (just from observation and experience - I worked as a preschool teacher many years ago and now am a para educator) that most teachers do the same thing, especially in preschool. Of course a lot of teachers will spend more time with a child who has a poor homelife, so in grade school on up, I think the bias is based mostly on looks and pleasantness.

 

[MushyMushy]

I just think that is the way of the world. They say that's true of teachers as well, that they respond so much better to attractive children.

Personally, I've been considered "attractive" in the past -- not movie star attractive or "hottie" attractive, but pretty enough. Ever since I became overweight, I've become invisible to people. In general, people don't look me in the eye, don't hold doors for me, don't talk to me or whatever, until I speak up first. My life was definitely different pre-fat.

 

[cardaway]

Of course.

 

[AprilShowers]

Personally, I've been considered "attractive" in the past -- not movie star attractive or "hottie" attractive, but pretty enough. Ever since I became overweight, I've become invisible to people. In general, people don't look me in the eye, don't hold doors for me, don't talk to me or whatever, until I speak up first. My life was definitely different pre-fat.

Me to
It really makes me quite sad to think about it. I also notice it in my children. I have one who is a girly girl and quite beautiful in society's eyes. The other is a tom-boy and not quite "beautiful" in the way society sees her. (although we think she's a beauty) KWIM?
They are both treated differently by people in the public and teachers are guilty of this as well.

I try very hard, because of my observations, to treat all of my customers the same. Hopefully I do better than most.

 

[mrFDNY]

Not sure about doctors, but i can tell you that firemen, cops and paramedics do!!! I've watched some of the guys i work with make total morons of themselves. When i see them doing it i always say very loud enough, "so bob hows the wife and kids doing"! They just love me for that.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think everyone reacts differently to an attractive person, not just physicians.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I think they do and it is not always to the patient's benefit.

I will use *me* as an example. Now, I'm not going to go out and say that I am drop-dead attractive. I'm not. But, I am 42 years old, my weight is perfect, and thanks to good genes, I have a nice figure. I think I look every bit of 40 years old, but I think I look good for my age. I also wear clothes that compliment my figure and, even when I'm sick or going somewhere like the doctor's office, I will put on a decent outfit, do my hair, and put on makeup.

Many years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Earlier in the days of thyroid cancer treatment, a patient was required to become SEVERELY hypothyroid before treatments. So, I would be totally off my medications for a long time and my TSH would be at about 145. I remember going to the hospital and the technical having a fit because she said I "looked to good to be properly hypothyroid" and she didn't want to start treatments. I had to have extra bloodwork to prove to them that I was indeed sick.

More recently, I have found a new general practictioner to treat me. He is well respected and has a very good reputation. During my first visit with him, he went on and on praising me for "taking care of myself" and keeping my weight down and being, in his words "a very healthy 42 year old woman." He had no clue if I was healthy. I told him that I did very little to be this way and that, in fact, I felt like crap most of the time and laid out all my problems. Sometimes I feel like he REALLY refuses to take me seriously because I "look" healthy.

 

[Stacerita]

Its human nature. People react differently to different things. And a physician is no different. Do I think they give different care to those they deem less attractive? For the most part I would say no. Some might. But I do believe they spend more time talking and being social during visits.

 

[ntsammy5]

Physicians and everyone else.

 

[eclectics]

Physicians and everyone else.

Yup, everyone does it, consciously or unconsciously.

 

[ilovepcot]

Studies have been done on this and it's been shown, over and over, that attractive people *are* treated better than those not considered attractive.

I see a *huge* difference myself in the way I'm now treated (mostly by men) than I was 10 years and 20 pounds ago! Oh well...

 

[LittleBlue22]

I think if physcians (or other wise) think you are attractive in their eye they tend to spend more time with you.

I had a dr. who checked himself out in a near by mirror before sitting down with me. Obviously, I wasn't his type and he seemed to rush the visit. I think had I been more 'attractive' in his eye he would've spent a little more time and been more talkative. I had to prod information out of him and ask questions. I could tell by body language, the feeling of being rushed, little eye contact...I could tell. I dreaded visitng him.

 

[Cindyluwho]

It also makes a difference how the person feels about his/herself. I've had two friends that were overweight, one was very obese in fact. Both of the women always dressed very attractively, wore make-up and were very outgoing. I have never witnessed either of them being treated differently-ever. They always had dates when they were single, etc. But if a person is feeling less than stellar about themselves and isn't dressing as snazzy/upbeat as they used to, then yes they will be perceived differently. I'm not saying that it is AT ALL the persons fault. But attractiveness is not just about size, it's about attitude and when you feel like caca....

 

[Aidensmom]

It also makes a difference how the person feels about his/herself. I've had two friends that were overweight, one was very obese in fact. Both of the women always dressed very attractively, wore make-up and were very outgoing. I have never witnessed either of them being treated differently-ever. They always had dates when they were single, etc. But if a person is feeling less than stellar about themselves and isn't dressing as snazzy/upbeat as they used to, then yes they will be perceived differently. I'm not saying that it is AT ALL the persons fault. But attractiveness is not just about size, it's about attitude and when you feel like caca....

I think this is very true. In my own experience, I am sure I looked better in my 20's than I do now, but on the other hand I am much more sociable and confident than I used to be. People do treat me differently because of that - I think it is because I just seem more approachable.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

When I was in my 20's, I went to an internist for a thyroid problem. I am "nicely endowed" and he insisted on doing a breast exam (I had seen his older associate previously and he had never done this). Now that I am older, I think the doc was just a dirty old man (he knew I had a gynecologist that I saw regularly). And do I think he would give middle-aged me a breast exam now, NO!

I think discrimination against overweight people is the most pervasive bias in this nation, bar none, and I constantly remind my children that weight is not always a choice, just as other differences are not.

Sharon

 

[HOGFAN]

Probably, just like everyone else does. At least until you get to know the person.

 

[MzDiz]

I was quite ill while pregnant with my first child and went from 115 to 210 in a matter of five months. I didn't get older, my hairstyle didn't even change, I just got fat. Not only did I see that I was paid less attention to, but I was also treated like I was stupid, incompetent, and unable to think for myself. Men were rude and condescending to me and women talked to me like I was a lost little old lady. It taught me some serious lessons about what people are really like.

 

[disneymouse]

I believe that this is called the 'halo effect' i remember a study done on people reactions and prejudices concerning attractiveness and that was what they called it.

there was this mother who was very pretty and wore very expensive clothes..looked great all the time. she was alittle aloof in her personality not at all outgoing or even that friendly..but BOY! the other moms were knocking themselves out trying to befriend her. even her son's preschool teacher!

 

[AKLRULZ]

Just the way the world works.