Do you think Physicians react differently to an attractive patient?

[Philagoofy]

So that's why the doctor spends so little time with me.

Maybe that's why they always put me in that dusty, little room all the way in the back?

 

[Caradana]

Looks are key. It's part of the game of life ... we all know it.
I try to win the game when possible. It's not always possible, but I do what I can.

Pass the popcorn. Wait, wrong thread for popcorn (we might get fat!!!) Pass the flavored lip gloss. Thanks!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

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.

Same here!! It's very different.

 

[DisnyMama]

I've just recently moved to Texas and will be needing to find a new doctor and am not looking forward to it because I really like my doc in California. I am 43 and very overweight although when I go out I always do my hair and makeup and look nice and I have the proverbial "such a pretty face". Whenever I see my regular Doctor he always spends alot of time with me. He has never made me feel bad or that I didn't matter as much as the rest of his patients. In fact, he has even told me what to do if I need to get in touch with him and his nursing staff won't put me through. I wish I could bring him to Texas with me.

 

[Martha7]

DsnyMama, just ask around and get a recommendation for a new doctor. I lived temporarily in Paris, TX, and had terrific doctors and dentists there! Sometimes when I've moved, I also felt that I'd never find a doctor that I liked as well as my current one, and have been pleasantly surprised by meeting an even better one in my new location! Texas has wonderful medical schools and I think the doctors are generally very good. I also don't think you'll be discriminated against if you're a bit heavy, since so many people in Texas are in the same boat. Must be the chicken fried steak and all of the great Mexican food! Good luck and hope you find someone you like!

 

[mssocks]

... 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.

I totally agree with this. I was always overweight, then managed to lose 120 lbs. People who already knew me began to treat me differently. I was so mad at them! ( didn't tell them of course, it was nice to be socially acceptable for once ) When I regained it all and more, everything went back to the same old thing. Except I had become more sociable so will be pleasant and chatty with everyone whether they like it or not - LOL. I used to stare at the floor all the time. But - I still get the invisible treatment until I force the issue.

I have been lucky with my adult doctors. Both are caring gentle men. I just saw one yesterday morning and he spent tons of time with me. Carefully reviewed my list of thoughts, always made eye contact, friendly face, encouraging voice. I always ask for a breast exam before my annual squashing and since I have issues (see below) he just bends over backwards to accomodate me.

Now my childhood and teen doctors are another story - Demon Doctor traumatized me as a child (breast exam at age 11??) and The Little Weasel Doctor was a jerk - went to him for help losing weight. I had to sit on the paper covered table in my underwear waiting and waiting for him to come in and belittle me. I received no medical advice whatsoever, just snide remarks and a hatred of paper on tables, doctors and a specific painting he had on the wall in the exam room.

 

[DawnCt1]

I just asked dh, who is a physician if HE treated attractive pts differently and he said "ABSOLUTELY NOT". i believe him because that is just the kind of person he is. i did bring up a mutual friend of ours, who is a physician and one whom most people would objectively describe as unattractve. she is treated rudely, often under treated, her legitimate concerns are dismissed and most recently when she told a new OMF MD that she had attempted to eat soft food instead of just puree for her jaw problem, he said; "WHAT ARE YOU,STUPID?" she recently underwent spinal surgery for a very vascular tumor that was misread by a radiologist that she knows (but doesn't like). she sent the films elsewhere because she saw the vascularity. if the neuro surgeon had followed the recommendation of the first radiologist, she could have had serious complications. dh and i have often said "does X have a tattoo on her forehead that says kick me". i think its because she isn't attractive and doesn't feel confident. if she carried herself more confidently, or differently i think she would be treated differently. so perhaps it isn't just her appearance but how she presents herself because of her appearance.

 

[daisyduck123]

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.

Definitely not true though of all teachers.

I make a point of spending extra time/giving extra attention to the "not so attractive/well-dressed ones". I know they are not as fortunate at home, they often need more help, etc. I often think my one-on-one time with them could be the only "special" attention they ever get.

 

[JunieJay]

I react differently to attractive physicians, I know that. When its your gynocologist, you try to block it out or close your eyes or somethin'. Not that I would know or anything.

Hopefully the reversal is true. I think most doctors, even if they fiind some patients more attractive than others, would give the same care regardless. They are professionals. I'm sure there are exceptions. but for the most part I'd like to believe most would act like professionals and put aside their feelings either way.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I believe that they do, 100%.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I just asked dh, who is a physician if HE treated attractive pts differently and he said "ABSOLUTELY NOT". i believe him because that is just the kind of person he is. .

I would bet most physicians would say the same thing, while unaware they are doing it.

 

[DawnCt1]

I would bet most physicians would say the same thing, while unaware they are doing it.

i would agree. again, i don't think ALL physicians do it. i am confident that dh doesn't do it.

 

[kimmikayb]

Sadly, this is the way of the world. Even if they "say" they aren't doing it, they are. I was thin before my first pregnancy and due to complications gained weight and fast. It was night and day the way I was treated by everyone. I've had three more pregnancies since and have gained about 20 pounds with each...I am treated differently then when I was thin. Of course "fat" is considered unattractive. I'm still the same ol' me.

 

[Galahad]

i would agree. again, i don't think ALL physicians do it. i am confident that dh doesn't do it.

All of DW's patients are female and pregnant. I doub't that "attractiveness" plays a role in how she treats patients.

 

[MushyMushy]

All of DW's patients are female and pregnant. I doub't that "attractiveness" plays a role in how she treats patients.

I'm not saying your DW treats less attracive patients worse, but attractiveness doesn't so much have to do with opposite sex attraction. It could be the difference between a female patient who takes pride in her appearance versus the one who doesn't.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I'm sure there are a few, but I seriously doubt that most doctors even care what their patients look like.

If they are over or under-weight, that is obviously something that has to be addressed because it is unhealthy. Other than that, Hookairs. After the first 1,000 or so naked people you see, you tend to not really give a crap.

 

[SillyMe]

i would agree. again, i don't think ALL physicians do it. i am confident that dh doesn't do it.

Oh, thank God. I was beginning to think that if my doctor doesn't pay much attention to me, I'll start worrying that he doesn't think I'm pretty enough.

 

[Blondie]

I think some (but certainly not all) physicians can and will treat patients differently based on their looks or just how their dressed.

In my experience--and this is with my PCP, I have noticed that I get treated much differently if I dress in a nice blazer, decent pants or dark denims, nice shoes, nice jewelry, not a hair out of place, etc. I get treated better and the doctor tends to spend more time. By "treated better" I mean more smiles, very congenial attitude from the nurses, etc.

If I have a sweatshirt on, messy pants (as in torn or ripped and/or faded jeans) or sweatpants and sneakers, hair messy or in a ponytail, big difference.

So yes, IMHO some physicans (as well as their staff) DO treat patients differently based on their looks and how they're dressed.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I can honestly say that my Dr. has never treated me differently and I've been seeing him for years. Has to be over 14/15 years now. He now has his own practice (been following from place to place). He has seen me in good times and bad. With/without makeup, pregnant, thin, and currently way too fat. He spends all the time in the world with me, treats me with respect and listens to what I'm saying. We all go to him now. I even got my DSis to finally start seeing him. She never used to go to the dr and would wait until things got really bad (usually ended up in ER). With this dr., she makes regular appts and KEEPS them. Does his partner treat skinny people differently, most definitely! That's why I never see him unless its an emergency.

It all depends on the person!

 

[JulyGirl]

I know that when I am dressed better, I get better treatment--everywhere. Same goes for fixing up my hair and putting on makeup. I think it's just human nature.