Best shoes for a doctor - Page 2

Funny, I am more worried about dripping the hand sanitizer solution on my shoes than bodily fluids. Hospital regs want us to use sanitizer before & after seeing patients. The high frequency of sanitizer usage makes it almost inevitable.

Wear what you're comfortable with. Depending on what type of physician you are, you know if you need extremely comfortable shoes... There are those who spend most practicing hours sitting down so shoe comfort is less important as lumbar support.

I am glad that I am not likely to consult you. What did you learn whilst training - little it seems

What do other doctors wear, what is considered appropriate in the environment in which you will be working? It is not a case of what non-medics think rather what is normal in your situation. Observe and follow established practice - that should be well developed and influential to you.

I wouldn't necessarily feel obligated to dress like your colleagues. Most doctors actually dress terribly. Also I wouldn't worry too much about getting things on your shoes. Outside of the OR and ER I personally find it pretty rare to get anything on my shoes. When in clinic I like wearing leather soled Allen Edmonds. I find a leather sole with cork far more comfortable than rubber sole shoes. As well some people say you aren't on Wall Street, but I've found most patients appreciate when their physician is well dressed and appears professional. AE's don't make a huge statement, and are quite comfortable. I always wear AE's or Grenson Masterpeices. Although GM are high end shoes really any lace up calf skin should be fine as long as it's not over the top. Can't go wrong with a simple brown or black oxford even if it were made by EG. I would shy away from things like buckles, antiquing etc. in clinic though.

I love my Rockports., It's easy to find pairs that are dressy, more casual, some waterproof, and they come in various colors.

What the fuck is this supposed to mean and what did he say to justify you disparaging his training?

To the original poster, I don't think you will but I'm going to say this anyway - don't worry about the potshots which cowards like this guy make when someone new comes on and asks for advice. There always seems to be someone like this lurking around ready to make a totally unjustified attack for whatever motivation they have.

Back to the original question about doctors and shoes . . .
It totally depends upon the environment and what kind of foot issues you have in the first place. Crocs have been mentioned and I have to warn you that if OSHA laws in the U.S. don't forbid these in the hospital environment, because of the holes in the shoes, then hospital by-laws could. Plus, you didn't come to a site like "Styleforum" to get that predictable and disappointing a response. Get some leather soled shoes, it doesn't matter what kind, and wear them! If they are uncomfortable, then get some inserts for them, like some thin orthotics or even some plastic arch supports that go up to the ball of your foot. If the discomfort is on the sides or top of the feet then you shouldn't have bought the shoes regardless of your occupation.

Dansko clogs are comfortable only if you are doing a lot of standing in one spot. If you are in a situation where you are going to be running to a coding patient, then they are a sprain and fall hazard. If you are a surgeon or doing a surgical residency then these are good shoes to have, but a sneaker with an arch support is fine as well because you are going to have shoe covers on anyway.

As other posters said, the bar is not set very high in regards to how well doctors dress. If you decide to dress as nice as you want and afford you will actually be admired for your efforts by your colleagues and the staff around you and quite possibly inspire others to do the same. Seriously. Not only that, but most importantly you will be noticed by your patients for your efforts and they will certainly respect you for your efforts as opposed to you being perceived as a geek who doesn't have the time or mental energy to put together a decent wardrobe - you will be the guy who is not just smart enough to be a doctor but has the eye and appreciation for things that are beautiful and want to bring that with you wherever you go.

If you are worried about effluvia on your shoes, then remind yourself that they are just shoes and that they can be cleaned off, repolished, and ultimately end up on the "Shoes With Character" thread in a couple of years.

danskos.  if you're on your feet all day and in medicine, there is no better alternative.

I prefer "simple" leather soled shoes. My go-to are my Alfred Sargent's and AE Walnut Strands.
Clogs are OR shoes, and do not, in my opinion, go well with anything other than scrubs.
I agree that comfort is the most important.
I would differ from other posters that looks are not important. I've noticed in my limited experience that the senior faculty/partners are usually well dressed. Of course, this doesn't mean that one has to 'be over the top'.

People, patients and physicians response favorably to properly attired doctors.

Just my 2 cents.

awww. so cute.

Was about to post this, all my doctor friends wear them

Any bodily fluid can be buffed in for that added special patina.

I've been told blood was used in the finished of Stradivarius, not sure if that is BS or not.

May I suggest oxblood colored shoes so that blood won't be noticeable on them?

This evening I tapped a shunt in the ER while wearing a) Zegna Napoli Couture loafers and b) a french cuff shirt I'd worn to clinic. Neither of these impeded my procedure nor did they cause anyone to doubt my level of professionalism. I say again: wear what you want.

"Tapped a shunt"

General medicine can mean a lot of things and a lot of situations. In the office, I wear what I want - have a nice smattering from AE, Alden, Peal, Magli etc, but my favorites are the rubber sole Crockett and Jones - northcote, hallam, and sydney.

If its going to be a long day in the unit, my Ecco oxfords get the most wear. If its procedures, the Ecco clogs without backs are far superior, from my perspective, to the Danskos with regards to moving around and lightness. However, they're leather and have lovely stains. I refuse to wear Crocs.

White coats look like crap against the nicer shirts (ALWAYS light, simple blues/whites) and ties (wear a clip, you'll protect everyone from cdiff and mrsa on beds), but make sure it looks pristine - patients always notice well dressed docs.

Good luck,
cs