Do doctors flirt? Do they treat attractive patients differently?

[Anonymous]

What do you think of these professional people behind their white coats? They do have a normal life outside of the hospital. But do they flirt with patients, subtly? Anyone here has a doctor flirted with them? I'm not talking bout the inappropriate things that you could think of. Just subtle flirting.

And I'm also wondering Why does my doctor have this smirk on face, when he has to examine my back? Awkward. Sigh. Weird. Makes me feel uncomfortable. But he wasn't taking advantages of me otherwise I would have made a report. Lol.

[Anonymous]

There are many stories of perv male GYNs and other providers that enjoy these exams of "privates". I encourage the females in my life to get female GYNs.

My SO had an exam where she was topless and the male provider conducting the exam stated that her breasts were conducive to the exam. So much so that she should model the equipment and be a sales rep. He went out of the exam room to get other male providers to confirm how conducive she was to the imaging equipment. They agreed she should be the model in how to show how to use it. It seems to me like they just want to check out an attractive twenty something's breasts.
I posted this to askadoctor on reddit and folks are trying to justify bringing in other male doctors for a looky loo. Doctors that weren't in training and most notably all male.

[orangasing]

i think they won't flirt, because they are really profesional and respect wiht patients, they are taught to maintain good relationship with the patient, that's the important thing. the doctor need to examine patients, they will do it properly and do not harrash the patient, when doctor treat the patient they are working really profesional an deal it wiht properly. I know doctors also human, of course they will attract to some girls or guys that hot, but they will handle it and they will act proffesional, not involve wiht the emotion feeling, they have taught about ethique treat wiht the patient, doctor can't have relationship wiht the patients. they need to break their relationship with the patients almost 2 years, and so they can date that patients.

[Anonymous]

It probably depends on their personality. Some people would flirt with a potted plant if there was nobody else to flirt with. I've seen some flirty doctors and some awkward ones and everything in between.

Also, like you said -- realize that they do have a life behind the white coats. Sometimes their attitude and facial expressions can be about something that has nothing to do with the patient. I hear of a lot of joking and flirtations that goes on within the medical staff -- they see each other for hours on end, day in and day out. A lot of times, the patient is kinda anonymous to them, but they have this huge backstory with each other.

[madmisskelly]

Doctors are human beings, so yes, they can be attracted to their patients and flirt.

You are encouraged not to play favorites but it is human nature to treat the people you like/love with more favorability.

Most doctors and therefore medical professionals are pretty quirky and unique people. I can say this because I am studying to be one. It takes a specific type of person to willingly go to school for years beyond what say, a business major does. I have had to go to school way longer than non health related people for the same degree. You're going to get people who aren't just your average every day person.

[karenirving307]

i have had a few doctors flirt with me :( when I went to the hospital a few times from getting injured from playing rugby and volleyball. The first doctor kept on trying to give me a massage or something it was weird so I just said you know what I'm actually fine but thank you and I believe the second time another doctor asked if I had a boyfriend and how old I was and what place's I liked to have dinner y,know sending me signals but I wasn't trying to talk to him. Last time I went to the Doctors this Doc kept asking if I worked out or play any sports and he was at least as old as my dad :(.

[Asker]

Haha, you sound terrified with your :( :(! Anyways, yeah I guess I had a doctor asking me about the same things, but not the exact things. I thought he was only being nice to me! :)

[karenirving307]

haha! I thought so to

[dawnfang]

Interesting doctors there,lol.

[orangasing]

that's inappropriate , it can be reported, that's not profesional

[GDG44]

Please report stuff like this. As a father, I am petrified about how many pervy doctors there are in the world. USC and MI St are examples.

[Sleeper07]

Wait if he's asking you if you work out or play any sports that's not flirting. Asking if you have a boyfriend or how old you are is also not flirting. Asking for your fav place to have dinner is also not flirting.

[Guy13]

Yes they do but not overtly. The nursing staff is much more obvious though. One can feel it. I have given one at a hospital my card with, “get me three days to fully recover, look at your schedule, I want to get to know you better…cat or dog.” Laugh and touch of humanness translated well on date and in relationship. Married to ER and OR though…

[pr3ttybr0wn]

My doctor is either friendly or flirts with me. But maybe I think so because I mildly flirt with him also ;) He's cute and has an endearing personality, and I don't see a wedding ring on his finger either

[Asker]

Lolol, then flirt with him back? Well it's just having fun, not like you're looking for something more than that. :p some of them are quite dreamy. Good bedside manners? :)

[melanieeeB]

Never had that and never heard of a doctor flirting with patience, sure they can find someone attractive but as far as I know doctors here are mostly very professional

[Anonymous]

In my experience it is rare, but yes, some doctors, especially male doctors, DO flirt. Of course they aren't meant to. They walk a very fine line because if they go too far it can be reported, so the ones that flirt will probably leave you wondering, "am I imagining it?" But if you go to another doctor you will realize, some doctors are 100% professional and other ones just can't help but flirt while pretending that they aren't doing it.

I have gone to a lot of doctors for various reasons. Some NEVER touch you and NEVER compliment you. You would not in a million years think they were flirting--because they aren't! Contrast that with the flirting doctor. The flirts touch you a lot and deliver lots of appearance-based compliments. They make you feel "funny" or excited about your appointments. They ask you personal questions or stare at your eyes or lips, or check out your chest. They initiate hugs.

You are not imagining it. They are flirting.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to cross the professional-patient boundaries. If he calls you or asks you out, he is violating the rules, and you cannot do it easily either. However, some people find a way. It depends how strongly either of you feel and what the intentions behind the flirting are. Is he just getting kicks to brighten up his day, or is he really crushing on you? Is he a risk taker? Is he willing to risk it all? Does he flirt with almost everyone or are you special to him?

Some time back I did have another doctor call me at home to follow up on my care. He said, "if you have ANY questions at ANY time, please do feel free to follow up with me; here is my personal number." And the thing was, it really wasn't necessary for him to do so. During the appointment he was extremely complimentary towards my appearance. In retrospect, I wonder what he was thinking at the time and if he would have asked me out if I contacted him (I didn't, because I was in a relationship).

I have one of these situations that I am grappling with nowadays. The difference is that I have feelings for him, and I think he has feelings for me as well. But it's complicated and I want him to make the first move--although obviously he really can't. It really sucks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, some of them do. Most of my doctors have been beyond serious. Like so serious and so "by the book" that you would barely even think they were friendly. As in, minimal chit-chat and zero touching beyond what is absolutely necessary for an exam. Boring, serious, and by the book. But I have had one doctor who was very friendly and flirtatious and touchy-feely. He has given me lots of compliments about my style and appearance and I get the butterflies around him with the way that he flirts.

I've got a big crush on him now---sigh.

[Anonymous]

The doc is probably trying to establish rapport with you. I've had doctors ask me if I play sport, exercise, where I go to school, what I plan on studying, if I work, how I am, etc. They're trying to break the ice so that you feel comfortable discussing your health with them because sometimes patients are embarrassed about certain things, like sexual and mental health. I highly doubt someone who has spent years in medical school working hard to become a doctor would risk their career over hitting on a patient. It's unethical.

[GDG44]

Sadly, there are tons of stories about unethical doctors that do just that. Look at USC and MI St for example. There are a ton of good doctors, but there are many that hide their fantasies behind lab coats to unsuspecting victims. Even with a chaperone in the room.

[Sleeper07]

"I've had doctors ask me if I play sport, exercise, where I go to school, what I plan on studying, if I work, how I am, etc." None of this shit is flirting.

[KERMlT]

He might find that particular part of your body attractive. If he was a gyno, I'm sure he'd be sick of seeing that part of a female's body.

But he might just like getting to know you better. Maybe he's just overly friendly.

[Anonymous]

No, they don't flirt. It would be worth more than their job.

[tenofthepeaks]

i guess they do, but they shouldn't.