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Survey Says: Patients Like Pink Hair
Kendra Campbell -- I was utterly amazed by the huge response to my last post about whether or not a med student can have pink hair. I wanted to thank everyone who left a comment. I read every single one, and rather than reply to each one individually, I thought I’d write a post to respond.
By and large it seemed that a good majority of people in the medical profession think that pink hair is simply unacceptable for a med student or doctor. The number one reason people gave is because it could potentially harm patients or threaten quality patient care.
Now if you read the comments closely, you’ll note something quite surprising. The vast majority of patients who commented actually said that they wouldn’t mind having a med student or doctor with pink hair. Some even said that it would be a refreshing change. Of course I can’t take this as fact. The response group is obviously self-selected, and this is in no way a valid study. However, I thought this finding was quite ironic.
Since so many people expressed interest in finding out how this story ends, I thought I’d share my solution to this problem. I decided to shave my hair into a pseudo-mohawk. I shaved the sides super short, and left a two-inch strip of hair down the middle. I then dyed the sides a dark brown color, and the “pseudo-mohawk” portion light blonde.
The result? I guess I have a new age mullet (as the saying goes, “business up front, party in the back). If I want to be more conservative, I simply press the hair down into a less obvious style. But if I want to be a little funkier, I simply spike up the mohawk portion. Voila! I stayed within the range of “human” colors, but still have a non-traditional cut and color combo.
Today was the first day of my psych rotation. I have a lot to say about how my day went, but I’ll save that for a later post. So, how was my hairstyle received? Actually, incredibly well. The doctor who runs the program didn’t even notice my hair, and my attending physician had absolutely no problem with it. None of the staff or patients gave me any strange looks, and in fact, a few of them complimented me on my hair.
If I had to do it all over again, I might have kept the pink. I really got the feeling that although I might have gotten some strange looks at first, I wouldn’t have been sent home, and many of the people would have actually enjoyed it.
Perhaps I will dye it pink sometime in the future. But for the time being, I have found a happy middle ground. I feel pleased and confident with my new style. I don’t feel like I’m trying to be someone I’m not. And honestly, because I felt so relaxed with my new style, I think it came through in my interactions with my colleagues and my patients. I felt like I could really be me. And maybe that’s the best way to treat my patients.
June 17, 2008 in Kendra Campbell | Permalink
Comments
One thing to be aware of: the patients aren't the ones ultimately in charge of your grade. Again, caution may be the word of the day. Check with your rotation graders.
Posted by: Jared | Jun 17, 2008 7:35:33 AM
well done !
looks great !
kimberly and i were rooting for you.
and although its true the patients arent ultimately in charge of your grade, they do affect your grade indirectly in certain situations.
case in point : when i was rotating in a clinic, several of my patients took it upon themselves to tell the nurses and doctors how they felt about me as their student doctor. and whaddayaknow, now i'm their resident doctor.
Posted by: thuc | Jun 17, 2008 1:09:56 PM
I really like the style, brilliant compromise:)
Posted by: Zoe | Jun 17, 2008 5:24:19 PM
Looks really good! The pink hair was awesome but I think it probably would have been distracting for some of your patients and maybe unnerving for more conservative ones, and better to be safe than sorry. Now you come off as fresh and energetic without being completely out of left field. It's also a very smart-looking cut!
Posted by: Soup | Jun 18, 2008 6:23:32 AM
Good looking hair, Shugg!
Posted by: Nate | Jun 18, 2008 10:21:26 AM
Awesome job with the hair! And you really should try to do a study to see how patients perceive deviations from a very conservative interpretation of "professional appearance" so we could have some evidence in our arguments instead of just conjecture from both sides.
Posted by: Matt | Jun 19, 2008 7:04:39 AM
I was critical of your last post and of the idea of the pink hair.
I would like to say that your new do speaks volumes about yourself. 1) That you ARE a unique individual and 2) That you're intelligent enough to find a solution that allows you to retain some individuality WHILE working within the system.
In regards to whether or not pink hair is acceptable or condoned by patients...remember that everything you read in this forum is subject to sampling bias. The average age of posters here are going to be slightly younger, more hip to current trends, and generally more open minded than your typical patient. Not saying that people won't accept pink hair, just don't expect people to. But best of luck in the future, pink hair or not.
Posted by: T | Jun 24, 2008 3:00:12 PM
congrats! i'd just take the acceptance of your hair with a grain of salt, it may vary from rotation to rotation.
Posted by: thoughtful | Jun 24, 2008 3:17:31 PM
I'd sneak a bit of pink into the mohawk, a little at a time (like pink highlights first). That way you can go pink gradually, and hopefully no one will notice, or care. Love your hair by the way!
Posted by: Tammy | Jun 24, 2008 5:52:43 PM
If you got it grow it. One nice thing about being young at heart, regardless of your age, is you don't have to grow up under someone elses ideas of what is right and what is wrong.
Posted by: Walt | Jun 25, 2008 6:18:32 AM
Congratulations on finding the right do for you. The great thing about using your hair as a way to express yourself, is that is is ever changing (growing back), so you can reinvent your self with each new cut, color, or spike. Way to go...mohawks are the new fade.
Posted by: Doug Shapiro | Jun 25, 2008 8:22:06 AM
this is nonsense. i don't think it is acceptable as there is a certain appearance/uniform that comes to mind when we think of doctors (just like any other profession/job). but if you are going to do it, stop making such a big deal about it - you are blowing it way out of proportion and writing an article about it serves to only force one to question your motives.
Posted by: vp | Jun 25, 2008 8:41:45 AM
in the grand scheme of things, it's a sad day for this world when we realize that the only thing someone feels the need to speak up about is the color of his/her hair. it's absolutely tragic to compare the "struggles" of privileged Americans to the struggles that others face - and this is the perfect example of that. Remember - there are things bigger than yourself in this world - and more importantly, bigger than your hair. Petty is one word that comes to mind.
Posted by: vp | Jun 25, 2008 8:51:11 AM
I agree with the poster before me. If your hair is something that defines who you are, that's a problem in and of itself, and one that should raise many questions. I'm the same person if I were to shave my head or grow my hair out. A patient on chemotherapy doesn't lose his or her identity and question who they are - nor should you if your profession "requires" a certain hair style. Picking your battles is a very important thing.
Posted by: mdghe34325 | Jun 25, 2008 9:01:57 AM
good for you. you are awesome, and your compromise solution speaks volumes about your ability to temper your individuality with professionalism. what a great ending to the story.
you know what I have noticed? alot of people hide their own fears/prejudices/judgements behind the mask of projection. as in "hey, I think it's fine, but what about those other conservative people out there (residents! attendings! bogeymen!) who might not like it?". problem is, as long as we are all afraid of those imaginary judgemental people, nobody will ever find out just how judgemental they really are, and life will continue to be just a little more drab and gray for all of us as a result.
good on you for your courage and thanks for sharing the whole story.
Posted by: Matt Brockwell | Jun 25, 2008 9:10:14 AM
Survey says: nothing (n=15, p>>>>0.05)
Posted by: john | Jun 25, 2008 10:15:15 AM
I cannot believe how crazy this is. Doctors, like many other occupations, essentially have a "uniform" like another poster mentioned. There is a time and place to "express yourself." The hospital is not that place. You can't tie dye to your white coat or cover it in tacky patches. It's like a clown going to a kids birthday party dressed in a 3 piece armani suit and saying he's just expressing himself and should be allowed to do so because he likes to dress well. When you're not at work, you can do as you please. However, there are expectations in any field that need to be respected. It's not always about you and what you should be allowed to do - there are others to think about...and while some patients may not mind, others will - and that is going to adversely affect their outcomes. Why would you want to carry that burden with you? Just because you wanted pink hair and felt entitled to have it? Enough is enough with everyone trying to be so PC all the time - it's nauseating.
Posted by: Scotty J. | Jun 25, 2008 12:05:16 PM
Great compromise. To those who are commenting on how unimportant this is or how it's being blown out of proportion. This is not about the pink hair, it's about being able to express your individuality while still being able to practive the profession you love...or it is to me and many other people I know. Love your hair, keep with it.
As to grades. My blue/purple/sometimes pink streaks have not prevented me from getting nine out of nines on my evaluations.
Posted by: Nadia | Jun 25, 2008 12:08:56 PM
It's not unimportant. It's self-righteous narcissistic behavior that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Posted by: Scotty J. | Jun 25, 2008 1:02:18 PM
unimportant? try naive and idealistic
Posted by: john | Jun 25, 2008 1:26:01 PM
I think that confidence it's the greatest thing you can have in your first impression. Your patients don't even notice your clothes if you are confident of what you know and you treat them with the respect they deserve.
I'll look forward to your pink hair in another rotation.
Good luck in your studies!!!
Posted by: Soniely | Jun 25, 2008 2:28:04 PM
You can't please everyone all the time! I have found over the years, if peeps got problems, they'll find something to be dissatisfied with. As long as you do your work, play well with others, and have a strong sense of self and others, who cares? The ones who try to grade based on preference rather than objectivity will be the ones who always end up in trouble. Make your work ethic impeccible and it will speak for itself. And, since you chose to take the road less traveled, be ready to rough it occasionally. It's just the way things work. If its that important to you, than its that important to work hard for.
Posted by: Debbie | Jun 25, 2008 2:37:16 PM
Just please yourself... don't care about pleasing others but... I think you may be wasting some potential chances to succeed just for the needless color and hair cut... whatever... you must be really a great student since you think old attendants will in fact ignore your crazy hair and say wow this girl is a genius... i think that's something people only put aside when someone is really outstanding... hope you really are...
Posted by: | Jun 25, 2008 3:12:16 PM
I understand that the study is non-valid anyway, but have you also considered the selection bias from trying your new hair out while on a psych rotation?
Posted by: Benny | Jun 25, 2008 3:58:42 PM
I'm really glad on how it ends!
Quote:
"I don’t feel like I’m trying to be someone I’m not."
Thats something very rare nowadays with us earthlings, cherish it :) And i've just learned it too.
Posted by: Fahim | Jun 26, 2008 1:20:29 AM
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