Attire

Abstract

Dress codes are institution-specific, which means that most institutions have a dress code, but it is usually non-specific. Dress nicely, appropriately, and professionally. Most likely you will begin your career by dressing very sharply, and you will certainly impress everyone, even your fellow slovenly dressed interns and residents (and some attendings). After a short period of time, you will see exactly what you can get away with, and in an effort to make your life easier, you will “sink” to the unwritten, house-staff invented, less than crisp, form of attire. A chief, attending, or hospital administrator would prefer nothing more than to see his or her house staff appearing very professional. This simply means a clean shirt or blouse, nice tie or simple jewelry, clean white coat, shined shoes (not clogs or sandals) and socks. Regardless of how your attendings and the chief are dressed, this is the way you should dress.

I’m tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skindeep. That’s deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas? — Jean Kerr