I don't care, as long as the doctor is qualified. I don't have any myself, but I think tattoos show personality.

...I actually don't mind tattoos on a doctor at all, so long as their bedside manner and qualifications are good. =^.^=

I really don't care. I'm going to go into the healthcare profession and I'm going to get one around the same time. I know some people care and that just because I don't doesn't mean other people won't, which is why it's going on my chest, but seriously, it shouldn't matter. Not my body, not my choice - that's my motto when it comes to tats/piercings.

To each his own. I don't have a problem with people having tatoos, even my doctor; but, I'm not sure how comfortably I would be with him or her being the Illustrated person, either.

I would actually feel better about them because it would show a little bit about their personality and maybe they wouldn't be old-fashioned and judgmental like some doctors I've seen.

This generation with piercings and tattoos is going to age and I doubt the next few generations will give it up.

This thread has made me think of something interesting that is healthcare-related.

I've heard stories from these young people about receiving incorrect or rude advice about a modification-related issue. First, I believe this is contrary to the idea of "doing no harm", but more importantly - there is a market for doctors that are more approachable and easier for young people to relate to and who understand the health issues related to mods and who have relevant information.

I've seen many nurses with tattoos and piercings, perhaps because it's more tolerated for women to do "aesthetic" things - but their information and experiences can be greatly helpful to patients and even save lives.

I wish health information for modifications was more readily available. It's sort of like the safe sex debate - you're not going to stop them, so give them the best advantage not to really hurt themselves.

I do not care. As long as it's within health code and is hygienic, why would any form of body modification bother me? It's not my business what a doctor, or anyone, does with their own body.

As long as they are qualified.

I'm a nursing student and I have tats, does that mean I'm not going to be a great, caring, compassionate nurse?..no it doesn't! Ink has nothing to do with a persons qualifications.

Honestly, I don't care one bit if anyone treating me medically has one tat or several. I have many tattoos, many other people have tattoos... doesn't bother me in the least. Just because someone has them doesn't mean that they aren't well-trained in their field.

I've actually read some interesting articles about people in medical and scientific professions who got tattoos related to their field! One pretty common one is the Latin for "do not resuscitate" across their chest or under their collarbone. Others have gotten tattoos of the electric paddles themselves done there (some with a big "no" symbol across them)! I think these are really neat, and it'd be really cool to have a doctor with a tattoo like this. They can be really creative and well-done. Even if they had a "I <3 Moom" tattoo, though, I wouldn't care. I don't select doctors or surgeons based on their looks, and tattoos are just an aesthetic choice.

I don't care how many tattoos my doctor has, as long as s/he is qualified.

I don't care how many tattoos my doctor has, as long as s/he is qualified.

I don't care about tattoos so long as they don't look horrible, just another form of expression.

The only reason people see them as negative is because their roots started in 'negative' places (so long as we don't count Indian / Tribal traditions). And that is just a very ignorant point of view - that's like judging someone and saying you don't want your doctor to treat you because you find out that they have multiple lovers or are homosexual - how is it any of your business? How does what they put onto their skin affect their ability to do their job?

Unless it is an explicit gang tattoo -and there are lists of those - the black tear drop, love / hate on the knuckles, certain iconic symbols etc. Then you might want to be concerned otherwise it isn't your business. It's not about what's on the outside after all... or so they say. Amazing how quickly people retract that statement when it comes to someone's fashion and what they do to their body.

Doesn't matter to me

I don't care how many tattoos my doctor has, as long as s/he is qualified.

Are they qualified? That's all I'd be concerned about.

depends on the tat.

As a first time tattoo bearer last year and a sizeable one my answer is as follows. I held off getting one since I was in my teens because I was too concerned of others opinions. This is my body and I know want to be scared of it. You can save my tattoo in my avatar and its beautiful as is my body. This was a life choice and one that I'm proud of. If a tattoo is not you're thing then that's OK Too!

Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement of the tattoos?
- it doesn't make any difference to me the amount or placement.
or the level of treatment (ie doctor versus nurses and other medical staff)?
- the medical staff have lives too, besides they have to wear all sorts of gloves and masks anyway.
Feel free to comment on what you think might be too many tattoos or inappropriate areas.
- too many? What do you qualify as too many? As far as I'm concerned anyone should have as many as they want.
- As far as inappropriate areas, it would only be inappropriate if they were showing you private parts of their bodies, something they shouldn't be doing anyway.

Like I voted above, I don't really care as long as they're competent. The trick is finding competent people; I can only name one doctor of mine that I've actually liked instead of merely tolerated.