A medicina tatuada: relação entre marcas corporais e identidade profissional

Abstract

Tattooing is an anthropological phenomenon present in several societies, whose modifications are related to motivations, meanings, symbols and traits dependent on the historical and sociocultural context. However, prejudice is still referred to. With the flexibilization of customs, medicine has absorbed in its corporate cadres young tattooed or with the desire to tattoo the body itself. Objectives: to analyze the typology and motivations for the use of tattoos by professors and undergraduate students in medicine, the relationship with professional identity, and the effects on daily life. Methods: Qualitative case study with triangulation of methods: online questionnaires; scale of attitudes; reflective photography; Iramuteq software. Results: The use of tattoos is related to variables such as gender (women > men), age group (students > teachers) and religion (nonChristians > Christians). Professional identity is not the main reason for choosing tattoo. Affective memories and symbols indicative of spirituality are the main motives. Autonomy is determinant in decision-making and shows a double standard: a traditional, prudential, dependent on the acquisition of autonomy after graduation and present among teachers; another prior to entering university. Tolerance in the form of indifference predominates alongside prejudice, noticed and experienced by students and teachers. Conclusion: Moral relativism, indicated by attitudes of tolerance and indifference, demand of the institutions that form and regulate the profession, ethical reflection on principles and values related to progressive identification with the profession during training: respect, tolerance, autonomy of the doctor, self-care, and responsibility in relationships at work. The methodology adopted, of triangulation, was important to overcome the difficulties imposed by the pandemic and to adequately understand the studied subject.