Hot For My Doc.

Dear Josey,

I’m attracted to my doctor. He’s my age and single (not married) but I’m not sure if he’s in a relationship. He’s always been very professional but I think the attraction might be reciprocal. I’m aware that as my doctor, he can’t ask me out. Understanding that I will probably have to find a new doctor regardless of the outcome, how does a woman ask her doctor out? Is it even ok to ask your doctor out or should I just leave this one alone?

Hot For My Doc.

Dear Hot,

If you seriously want to consider dating your doctor, you’re right, your first move should be to find a new doctor. And given how tough it is to find a doctor these days, the fact that you’d be willing to give up a perfectly good one means the attraction is obviously serious. Obviously, it’s hard to know if the attraction is reciprocal because part of being a good doctor is being attentive, interpersonal and making your patients feel special. So it’s hard to know if you’re getting extra special attention or if this is just his usual bedside manner. But you can’t know until you ask. And since it would be more unethical for him to ask you out, the ball’s in our court. Once you have your new doctor, simply muster up the courage and tell him that you’ve found a new doctor because you find him attractive and didn’t think it was appropriate to continue on as his patient. See how he reacts. If he’s not interested in dating, he should at least respect your decision and appreciate that you have taken measures to remove yourself from what could be a potentially awkward situation and you’ll leave with your dignity. Or he’ll look relieved and invite you to dinner. Whatever the outcome, you’ll be better off. If you don’t go out together, at least you’ll be spared having to literally get naked in front of someone to whom you’ve emotionally exposed yourself. If you do go out, he’ll get to see you naked in much more flattering light and never in one of those extremely unflattering hospital gowns with your feet in a set of stirrups.