Abstract
Objective: This study explored the perceptions of medical students and medical school staff towards tattoos.
Background: As tattooing continues to become more of a mainstream practice, and with the lack of clarity provided by the General Medical Council on the topic, research to inform policy makers at a national and local level is merited.
Methods: A case study was implemented to facilitate the exploration of the perceptions of tattoos. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used for students and staff respectively for data collection. The results underwent thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke’s guidance.
Results: Medical students and medical school staff had broadly similar perceptions of tattoos. Four main themes were identified: the nature of tattoos, professionalism, freedom of expression and generational perceptions.
Background: As tattooing continues to become more of a mainstream practice, and with the lack of clarity provided by the General Medical Council on the topic, research to inform policy makers at a national and local level is merited.
Methods: A case study was implemented to facilitate the exploration of the perceptions of tattoos. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used for students and staff respectively for data collection. The results underwent thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke’s guidance.
Results: Medical students and medical school staff had broadly similar perceptions of tattoos. Four main themes were identified: the nature of tattoos, professionalism, freedom of expression and generational perceptions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | MedEdPublish |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2018 |
Keywords
- Tattoos
- Healthcare
- Medical students
- Doctors