The Doctor’s New Clothes: Professional or Fashionable?

Hartmans, Chantal; Heremans, Stefanie; Lagrain, Marieke; Asch, Kristin Van; Schoenmakers, Birgitte

doi:10.4172/2167-1079.1000145

Cited by 16 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Many of the included studies were conducted in the USA (n=10); 1 17 19 20 22–24 31 36 37 however, other geographic locations including Canada (n=2), 16 35 UK, Ireland and Scotland (n=5), 18 25 26 34 39 Asia (n=4), 5 21 28 41 other European nations (n=5), 29 30 33 38 40 Australia and New Zealand (n=2), 27 32 the Middle East (n=1) 15 and Brazil (n=1) 42 were also represented. With respect to temporality, 22 of the 30 included studies were published within the last decade 1 5 15 16 19–23 25 26 29–33 36 38–42 ; however, several studies were published more than 10 years ago.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With respect to temporality, 22 of the 30 included studies were published within the last decade 1 5 15 16 19–23 25 26 29–33 36 38–42 ; however, several studies were published more than 10 years ago. 17 18 24 27 28 34 35 37 Seven studies specified the inclusion of patients who had at least a high school or college-level education 1 15 16 20 35 38 40 ; however, the remaining studies did not report the educational level of their population.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 Notably, patient age was often predictive of attire preference with patients older than 40 years of age uniformly preferring formal attire compared to younger patients in seven studies. 19 27 28 32 34 38 40 Conversely, younger patients often felt that scrubs were perfectly appropriate or preferred over formal attire. 26 36 38 41 These preferences extended to items such as facial piercings, tattoos, loose hair, training shoes and informal foot wear in three studies among younger patients.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…25 26 34 39 Similarly, four of five studies from other European nations found that patient preferences, trust or satisfaction were influenced by physician attire. 30 33 38 40 Of these four studies, three studies found a preference for formal attire or white coats 30 33 40 compared to one where scrubs were preferred 38 ( figure 2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding the role of physician attire on patient perceptions: a systematic review of the literature— targeting attire to improve likelihood of rapport (TAILOR) investigators

et al. 2015

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ObjectivesDespite a growing body of literature, uncertainty regarding the influence of physician dress on patients’ perceptions exists. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to examine the influence of physician attire on patient perceptions including trust, satisfaction and confidence.Setting, participants, interventions and outcomesWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, Biosis Previews and Conference Papers Index. Studies that: (1) involved participants ≥18 years of age; (2) evaluated physician attire; and (3) reported patient perceptions related to attire were included. Two authors determined study eligibility. Studies were categorised by country of origin, clinical discipline (eg, internal medicine, surgery), context (inpatient vs outpatient) and occurrence of a clinical encounter when soliciting opinions regarding attire. Studies were assessed using the Downs and Black Scale risk of bias scale. Owing to clinical and methodological heterogeneity, meta-analyses were not attempted.ResultsOf 1040 citations, 30 studies involving 11 533 patients met eligibility criteria. Included studies featured patients from 14 countries. General medicine, procedural (eg, general surgery and obstetrics), clinic, emergency departments and hospital settings were represented. Preferences or positive influence of physician attire on patient perceptions were reported in 21 of the 30 studies (70%). Formal attire and white coats with other attire not specified was preferred in 18 of 30 studies (60%). Preference for formal attire and white coats was more prevalent among older patients and studies conducted in Europe and Asia. Four of seven studies involving procedural specialties reported either no preference for attire or a preference for scrubs; four of five studies in intensive care and emergency settings also found no attire preference. Only 3 of 12 studies that surveyed patients after a clinical encounter concluded that attire influenced patient perceptions.ConclusionsAlthough patients often prefer formal physician attire, perceptions of attire are influenced by age, locale, setting and context of care. Policy-based interventions that target such factors appear necessary.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Understanding the role of physician attire on patient perceptions: a systematic review of the literature— targeting attire to improve likelihood of rapport (TAILOR) investigators

et al. 2015

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“…The clothing style of each professional has an important impact on presentation, credibility and appearance. Hartmans et al [73] conducted a study whose aim was to investigate the influence of the general practitioners attire on the confidence that patients have in their practicioner as a medical expert. Participants completed a survey after seeing images of six models of three different age categories (25-35 / 35-50 / >50), each in five different clothing styles (leisure clothing, casual, semiformal, formal and professional).…”

Section: Gender (In)equality Regarding Clothingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychology of clothing

Kodžoman

2019

TLR

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We select clothes that we’re purchasing and wearing according to the meaning we believe them to have, or the messages we believe them to send. But what are psychological consequences of clothing, and how does clothing express something about the user? To assess the state of knowledge about the communicative nature of fashion, the aim of this review was to provide a concise and succinct literature overview of over twenty empirical studies of the above-mentioned concept. The psychology behind clothing is classified into 3 thematic categories in this paper: a) the meaning of colors in clothing psychology; b) the socio-psycological impact of clothing; and c) gender (in)equality regarding clothing. Finally the last chapter brings a concise study of a few recent fashion shows, brands and trends. It is doubtless that both clothing and appearance serve as an important socializing influence and a form of communication.

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Hospital doctors’ attire during COVID-19 and beyond: time for a permanent change

2022

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Background The debate on current doctors’ attire in Irish hospital resurfaced alongside COVID-19, as a shift in doctors’ attire from professional attire to scrubs was observed. Aim The current study aimed to explore whether COVID-19 has changed the way in which hospital doctors perceive their personal attire, and whether this group wish for changes implemented during COVID-19 to become permanent. Methods Hospital doctors ( n = 151), across all specialties and seniority at University Hospital Galway (UHG), filled out a ten-point online questionnaire exploring their experience of and attitudes towards hospital attire during COVID-19. Data collected and analysed in August–September 2020. Results Seventy-six percent (119) changed their attire during COVID-19 to scrubs (54% to hospital provided; 22% to private). Thirty-eight percent (56) reported feeling uncomfortable with bringing clothing home, highlighting the infection control risk. Seventy-four per cent (110) wanted the change to scrubs as standard attire to become permanent (65% to hospital provided; 9% to private). Thirty-two percent (47) noted a change in patients’ perception when wearing scrubs. Conclusion Hospital doctors changed their attire during COVID-19, and 75% would like these changes to become permanent. Most (67%) did not notice a change in their patient’s perception of them, raising questions about the longstanding beliefs surrounding ‘professional attire’. A large number of doctors are also worried about bringing clothing home. The humble hospital scrubs have shown their worth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Why not continue to wear them?

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The Doctor’s New Clothes: Professional or Fashionable?

Cited by 16 publications

References 8 publications

Understanding the role of physician attire on patient perceptions: a systematic review of the literature— targeting attire to improve likelihood of rapport (TAILOR) investigators

Understanding the role of physician attire on patient perceptions: a systematic review of the literature— targeting attire to improve likelihood of rapport (TAILOR) investigators

The psychology of clothing

Hospital doctors’ attire during COVID-19 and beyond: time for a permanent change

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