Different rules for dressing appropriately

Editor—We are expected to dress appropriately when dealing with patients. I do not have a problem with this, and I do make an effort to be smart and presentable in hospital.

There have been several occasions, however, when I have been reprimanded; for not wearing a white shirt and dark tie during a clinical exam, not having my top shirt button done up, and wearing my cycling gear in a tutorial in a class room with no patient contact. These examples highlight the pettiness of some of the senior consultants who teach us.

In the case of the cycling gear, I had just cycled to the local childrens hospital, as it was too far to walk. I had a shirt, tie, and trousers in my backpack, in case I had to visit patients in the afternoon. The consultant who was taking the tutorial (for about 25 of us) tore strips off me, in front of everyone, without giving me a chance to explain. He had no reason to, and there were at least 10 other people there in jeans and t shirts.

Regardless of what consultants say to male students about our workwear, my main gripe is that nobody ever says anything to female students, who can wear whatever they want.

I do not understand this. Why do male students have to go through the routine of shirt, tie, and trousers every day, when the women can wear what they like: in my opinion, some of them look really scruffy. This is just another example of “old school” doctors perpetuating what the medical faculty is trying to phase out. I am sure whatever I wear makes no difference to how I treat a patient.