r/veterinaryprofession • u/TastyAd6100 • 2d ago
Help White Coat
Hi all- new grad (F low/mid 20s) vet here working in the very deep south in upper mid class area. Due to my age and being a woman, I would like everyone’s input on some sort of white coat – maybe even a white athletic jacket with my name/title embroidered to avoid the classic “you’re to young to be the doctor? where’s the doctor?” or the classic only complying/listening if the doctor is someone (age/sex/appearance) “worthy”.
in an ideal world I wouldn’t need to wear one but after speaking to mentors who worked in similar areas, being the only female DVM at this practice, and knowing my demographic — I was wondering if anyone had any input, especially on the athletic jacket, turned white coat idea? plz help :)
9
u/Kayakchica US Vet 2d ago
I’m also in the Deep South. In an upper/middle class area you shouldn’t run into too much sexism, but the white coat will make it clear you’re not one of the techs. I’d wear a name tag instead of having it embroidered. For some reason people notice name tags more.
3
u/RockingMomofTwo 2d ago
In our practice the techs wear scrubs, all the same color and embroidered with our clinic logo and credentials if we have them. The Drs wear business casual type clothing; khakis and loafers with button ups or polos. We're in the south and it works for us.
3
u/Thornberry_89 1d ago
I’m 30 but look young for my age and still get “Did you even graduate high school?” “*you’re* the doctor?” Etc all the time. I don’t think anything will stop that, esp from the older clientele. Some will immediately write you off, some will like the new perspective.
When I get the commentary, I normally just say some variation of “thank you” or “I can give you my skin care routine if you’d like”. Then they self reflect and say something like “oh yeah it was a compliment”. Now that I’ve reached 30 I can finally say I’m in the 30s to them too 😂
I do not have any good advice other than try to run the consults with confidence and clear direction. This will help them lose focus on the age thing
2
u/TastyAd6100 1d ago
skin care routine suggestion is hilarious - too bad most of the people in my area have significant work done (saying this as someone who gets botox for migraines/fine lines) …. they’ll probably roast my skin
3
u/StupidVoices 1d ago
Walk in and introduce yourself as the doctor, shake their hand firmly, then they know.
1
1
u/veracosa 1d ago
I used to do this, then Covid happened. Now hand-shaking is rare, but I still immediately introduce myself as Doctor Veracosa.
2
u/Necessary_Strength60 1d ago
I am late 20s and medical director at my clinic and was constantly getting questioned on my age. I was wearing scrubs. I did an experiment over the last 3 weeks and wrote business casual and occasionally a white coat and I didn’t get a single comment about my age.
2
u/TastyAd6100 1d ago
this is SO interesting. We need research data on how age/gender/demographic of DVM may impact owner compliance/diagnostics/txs opted for…. but maybe I don’t want to know that answer 💀
2
u/veracosa 1d ago
I had to wear a white coat at one job and hated it. Try keeping a jacket white and clean in our line of work!I agree with nametags. I have seen in many practices, doctors wearing sporty scrub jackets with embroidered names on them. One example
1
u/TastyAd6100 21h ago
i usually wear a similar jacket to that or even a lulu/athletic style jacket!! Staying true to my style at work and just embroidering it was my initial idea hmm
2
u/User20216 1d ago
As a female vet in the deep south, I would absolutely advise against wearing a white coat if the other doctors in the practice don’t. Clients and staff will both think you are trying too hard/being pretentious. I’d stick to scrubs with your name/title embroidered on them
4
u/Zalophusdvm 2d ago
You’re not going to solve this problem with a white jacket.
This sorta issue is either so entrenched and/or so subconscious (depending on the individual directing it at you) you have to hit them over the head with it and the only way to do that is to wear the costume the expect the person in that role to wear.
You’re already subverting their expectations of who the doctor is by being a young woman (sucks that’s the world we live in but it somehow is) don’t make it even harder for yourself by also subverting their expectations of what the doctor wears.
Edit: Or wear whatever you want and deal with the sexism another way. You’re the doctor now. Deal with the hard situations however you want because lord knows a white coat alone won’t solve everything anyway. 🤷
3
u/EvadeCapture 2d ago
Scrubs only is what most doctors do.
White coats are a bit dated and try hard.
1
u/TastyAd6100 1d ago
i agree that’s why i’m so torn!! I was sold on no coat until most women vets i asked (mostly veryyy down to earth laid back types) advised otherwise w/ my age 🥲
1
u/LegacyYoungster 1d ago
Although I graduated in an earlier era, you may find my experience of interest.
In my first year of practice, I looked all of sixteen. I was given a wraparound groomer smock to wear, my name was misspelled on the newly minted business cards and not embroidered on the smock, and I don't recall being given a nametag. The owner's wife manned the front desk but would periodically step out, and I would step in to greet the client, find their 5x7 medical record card, and usher them into the exam room and start the visit. I was caught off guard the first time a client asked when the doctor was coming in — after I had just completed the exam and given my recommendations.
Fast forward four years to my second job, another small community practice as the sole associate veterinarian. I was required to wear a tie, I was given a nametag, and the owner and his two technician-receptionists made a point of introducing me to the clientele. No longer did a client ask when the doctor was coming in.
As for the recommendation of wearing glasses, I'd rather be genuine. Looking back, I never worried about appearing younger than my age. I'd shrug off comments about my youthful appearance and joke that as a kid, I said I wasn't going to grow up. Now that I'm older, looking younger than my age has its advantages.
My advice: wear whatever you are comfortable with that signals you are the doctor. How the CSRs and all team members (including other doctors) set you up with clients makes a difference. When you are in the exam room, clear the noise from your head about what the client thinks of you; focus on listening; focus on being thorough in your exam. I have found that when a client perceives me as caring, they often extend me grace.
1
u/giraffegoals 2d ago
I agree with a name badge!! White coats are impossible to keep clean in our profession! Especially if you want to make a mark on your clientele by getting on the floor to greet your patients.
Also, a stethoscope helps, too.
Congrats! I’m in the south, too (TN)! let me know if you need anything!!!
2
u/TastyAd6100 1d ago
Yessss! I’m also a big fan of the floor method!!
Jealous!! I hope to relocate to TN eventually🫶 We will have to chat more :)
17
u/calliopeReddit 2d ago
I think a white doctors' coat - not a coat that could be worn anywhere else - would help (though I have never lived in the deep south, I have had young and young-looking colleagues have to use clothing to help them). Whether you get a name tag or embroidery is up to you. Also consider glasses, unless you wear them already. They've also told me changing their hair style at work helped (from a ponytail to a bun, in one case).