From the three images presented, the first question that stems is “Were the individuals professional?”. According to the description given in the first image, the individuals were professional in one way or another. The same case applies to the second and third image descriptions respectively. Basically, this is deduced from the appearance, dress code and equipment that are depicted in the images giving hints of their professional affiliation (LaSala et al., 2005). However, some faults of professional dress code are also evident. Through these three images, areas of unprofessionalism in medical practice that are mostly overlooked are clearly evident.
Notably, there were several aspects that made the individuals in the three images to appear professional. From the recommended dress code of medical professionals, the first image depicts all to belong to the medical profession except the lone man who lacks both a lab coat and scrubs. Since image tells more of a person, the man lacks proper identification of belonging to the medical profession except for the stethoscope around his neck. However, his neatness and modesty denoted by a button down shirt and tie on depicts of the seriousness expected of medical professionals (Davys et al., 2006). In comparison with his fellow man in the image who is both neat and has a lab coat on, the deduction is that one in complete attire is more serious in their profession than the other. However, if the circumstances did not require him to have attire on, then he is not at fault.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
On the part of the women presented in the first image, all are wearing scrubs which typically portray them as serious medical professionals. They are most probably nurses or midwives as depicted by their uniforms that is, the scrubs. However, one aspect that is conspicuously missing out on all the individuals in this image is the badges that are required to be well displayed on their clothing asserting their identity in the hospital and their line of specialization in the medical profession.
In the second image, all the individuals have the recommended attire for medical professionals where a lab coat or scrubs are evidently portrayed. However, there is lack of clarity on the area of profession that they engage in. putting on a lab coat or scrubs is not communicating enough of the area of specialization in the medical profession. However, one individual stands out among them; the one who has scrubs as well as head covering and a surgical mask. From this attire, it is easy to deduce the area of specialization which could most probably be surgery. The full attire communicates effectively about the level of seriousness that he/she associates with the profession (Lehna et al., 1999).
To some extent, the individuals dressed in scrubs can be associated with perioperative care where theatre scrubs are usually the dress code. From this observation, they could be nurses or midwives working in areas associated with perioperative care. However, confusion still comes up since midwives and nurses who work in non-operative areas can also be permitted in hospital settings. On the contrary, the rest of the individuals do not show the required differentiation in area of specialization in the medical profession, that is, it is hard to know who are the nurses, doctors or those who belong to other areas of specialization in the given profession. The bottom line in verifying the actual involvement of an individual in the medical profession is the wearing of name tags indicating the name and specialization of the individual (Davys et al., 2006). Unfortunately, this is lacking throughout the image where none has the required name tags hence a fault on their professionalism. However, regardless of the faults pointed out, the image portrays all of them to belong to the medical profession.
In the third image, professionalism is also depicted. However, many faults in professional presentation are evident. To begin with, the woman wearing a lab coat over scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck is at fault for putting on the lab coat over scrubs as it is not allowed. According to the code of conduct on dressing, nurses and midwives are prohibited from putting on other hospital gowns on top of their uniforms which this woman is at fault for doing (LaSala et al., 2005). However, her area of specialization can be easily deduced to either being a nurse or midwife. The only aspect missing out is the name tag identifying the department and area of specialization.
Notably, the image also contains another woman dressed in a blouse and skirt with a stethoscope around her neck. Firstly, she is depicted to be modestly dressed as required in her profession. Nonetheless, she is at fault for failure to put on any attire identifying her as a medical professional save for the stethoscope around her neck. The lack of a badge is also another fault on her part in helping identify her professional role in the hospital. Regarding the man wearing a suit, a stethoscope is around his neck, and holding a clipboard, modesty is clearly displayed. He has carefully worked on individual presentation which depicts him as serious in his profession. The clipboard in his hand also depicts meticulousness in performing his duties (LaSala et al., 2005). It also hints that he could be a doctor since it is allowed for doctors to carry clipboards around. However, he is at fault for failing to put on the required uniform, that is, a lab coat. This can be cancelled out if the circumstances did not require him to put on attire since he has complied with all other requirements for such circumstances. Another conspicuously missing item is the name badge that is the required form of identification that should be worn every time within the hospital premises.
In the same aspect, the other man in the same image wearing a button down shirt and a tie also lacks an identity badge which is required of him. He lacks any form of attire that can associate him to the medical profession except that he is in the same image with others having indication of being medical professionals (Davys et al., 2006). However, he is dressed modestly as there is no hint of casual wear in his clothing. B the major faults highlighted, this man can easily be ruled out as being a medical professional. However, if the situation did not require him to be in uniform, then he properly presented himself since all terms of such circumstances are depicted in his dressing code and manner of presenting himself.
In conclusion, the importance of appearance in the the medical profession caanot be overemphasized. In fact, the profession is marked by the attire and dressing code required giving the professionals uniqueness in comparison with other workers in hospital settings. After reviewing the slides, areas that would be unprofessional in my field when considering attire and presentation of self are pointed out. The first aspect being that as a nurse, putting on the respective uniform is mandatory. It is unprofessional to fail to put on the uniform like some of the individuals in the images are conspicuously missing. Secondly, lack of badges is unprofessional since identity plays a key role in winning the confidence of patients. Thirdly, putting on other medical attire on top of the uniform is unprofessional in nursing. Therefore, all areas of professionalism should be emphasized in the medical practice as it will improve the confidence of patients in trusting the medical professionals.
References
Davys, D., Pope, K., & Taylor, J. (2006). Professionalism, prejudice and personal taste: does it matter what we wear?. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(7), 339-341.
LaSala, K. B., & Nelson, J. (2005). What contributes to professionalism?. Medsurg nursing, 14(1), 63.
Lehna, C., Pfoutz, S., Peterson, T. G., Degner, K., Grubaugh, K., Lorenz, L & Seck, L. L. (1999). Nursing attire: Indicators of professionalism?. Journal of Professional Nursing, 15(3), 192-199.
