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September 1998
Volume 62 |
Number 9
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VENTILATIONS
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| The Emperor's
New Clothes |
I remember reading the story about an emperor who was so vain
that he believed his apparel was the most elegant in the land
despite being dressed in his undergarments. He could not see
his undressed state because he was too egotistical to admit that
he had been deceived. A young boy in the crowd shocked the emperor
back into reality by announcing that the emperor was in his underwear.
This little parable reminds me of the current work attire
worn by a significant minority of practicing anesthesiologists.
They come to work inappropriately dressed in tee shirts, shorts
(or jeans) and designer sunglasses, vainly believing that the
world sees them for who they are ... talented physicians. In truth,
it is often difficult to distinguish them from the nontechnical
work force supporting the hospital. In the meanwhile, their surgical
counterparts arrive in the usual professional attire, ostensibly
the mark of a physician. Unlike the anesthesiologists, they can
easily be distinguished from the maintenance workers.
If you question these dressed-down physicians about
their attire, they will often remark that it is early and no one
sees them, or they will say scrubs are their "real" professional
attire. It is quite possible, however, that their patient's family,
other physicians and even administrators are also arriving at
the same time. Upon observing their attire, negative opinions
can easily be formed by these distant observers even to the extent
that one's clinical acumen may be questioned.
As medical practice adopts more business principles, it
is reasonable to expect that professional attire will also follow
suit (pardon the pun). Even though clothes do not make the person,
they impact heavily on one's image. When the line between success
and failure is so fine that we seldom know when we cross it, why
risk career success and advancement by dressing down? Our professional
image forms the basis for another person's first impression.
Two principles should guide our selection of how
we want to be seen professionally. First, you never get a second
chance to make a first impression. Second, while first impressions
can be favorable or catastrophic, they are always lasting. Do
not be so willing to sacrifice your professional respectability
for an undisciplined, nonprofessional, relaxed look. You
may believe that people should respect you for your knowledge,
but they are more apt to respect you based on your external image.
If your parents had not already told this to you, I am telling
you now.
Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D.
Editor
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