The Effect of an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon’s Attire on Patient Confidence and Trust

Lands, Vince W; Malige, Ajith; Nwachuku, Chinenye; Matullo, Kristofer S.

doi:10.1177/1558944717750918

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Lands found that patients in an orthopaedic hand clinic consistently gave the highest ranking to male and female surgeons wearing a WC in seven patient-perceived qualities. 5 In our study, no comparisons existed where a greater number of respondents preferred the model without a WC to one with a WC. Therefore, for most patients who indicated a preference, a WC seems to increase association with positive traits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Furthermore, although comparisons within each sex allowed a preferred attire to be identified, previous studies have not published direct comparisons between men and women orthopaedic surgeons. 3 - 5 One previous study of the importance of the orthopaedic doctors' appearance from Scotland did not include any female models. 6 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 2 A number of published studies look specifically at the role of surgeon appearance in orthopaedic surgery, many of which feature male and female surgeons in varying attire. 3 4 5 6 No study to date has looked specifically at the impact of feminine attire, such as skirts or dresses, on patient perceptions of orthopaedic surgical skill, including the ability to excel in performing the physical components of surgery.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of an Orthopaedic Surgeon's Attire on Patient Perceptions of Surgeon Traits and Identity: A Cross-Sectional Survey

et al. 2020

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Introduction: In orthopaedic surgery, limited research is available addressing how attire, including white coats (WC) and feminine attire such as skirts, affects patient perceptions. It is unknown how surgeon appearance is associated with identification as a surgeon and perception of clinical skills, nor whether this differs between male and female surgeons. Methods: An image-based survey was offered to all adult patients in four orthopaedic surgeons' sport medicine or foot and ankle clinics. Respondents viewed 10 photos of male and female models in varying attire and identified that individual's most likely role on the healthcare team. Then, in 10 photos pairs, respondents selected which surgeon showed more competence, ability to excel in performing the physical components of surgery, likelihood to provide a good surgical outcome, and trustworthiness. Results: Two hundred thirty-eight patients participated in the survey. Men were identified as surgeons significantly more frequently than women in similar clothing ( P < 0.05) for all attire except a business attire without a WC (men: 18.2% vs women: 11.2%; P = 0.252). Patients ranked physicians wearing a WC with any attire as more competent and more likely to give a good surgical outcome than those without (all P < 0.005). Patients found women in feminine attire significantly less likely to excel in performing the physical parts of surgery than women in scrubs ( P = 0.001). Discussion: Women surgeons who wear feminine business attire instead of scrubs may be perceived less able to perform the physical work of operating, but are otherwise rated comparably with their peers, both male and female. Surgeons wearing WC are generally perceived more favorably than those without WC, an effect that is magnified for perceptions of competence for female surgeons. Men are more readily identified as surgeons than women when wearing a similar attire, except for a business attire without WC. There are continuing differences in how patients perceive male and female orthopaedic surgeons based on their attire.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of an Orthopaedic Surgeon's Attire on Patient Perceptions of Surgeon Traits and Identity: A Cross-Sectional Survey

et al. 2020

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“…Survey development was based on interdisciplinary collaboration and previous similar studies that examined patient perceptions of physician attire. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Study data were collected using SurveyMonkey (San Mateo, California).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, Yamada et al 8 reported that for 70% of patients, attire influenced their confidence in a physician. Multiple previous studies have analyzed the patient perception of physician attire 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ; however, these were done before the COVID-19 pandemic and, as such, were focused on professionalism and trust rather than patient safety. These studies reported a preference for a formal attire accompanied by a white coat.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient Perception of Physician Attire in the Outpatient Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Introduction: In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, physician attire has evolved to incorporate personal protective equipment (PPE). Although PPE is mandated for all healthcare workers, variability exists in choice and availability. The purpose of this study was to determine patient perception of physician attire during the COVID-19 pandemic in an outpatient setting. Methods: Three hundred sixty-eight patients who presented to our outpatient orthopaedic clinics completed an anonymous survey. In addition to demographic characteristics, patient preferences for attire, PPE, and social distancing were obtained. Results: Scrubs (81%, 298/368) were found to be the most acceptable physician attire. Eye protection (34.2%, 126/368) and gloves (32.6%, 120/368), however, were deemed much less acceptable; 93.5% (344/368) of patients reported that no mask was unacceptable, with 41.0% (151/368) preferring a surgical mask. Predilection for a surgical mask and N95 rose with increasing patient education level. Interestingly, 55.2% (203/368) responded that physicians should stop wearing PPE only when the Center for Disease Control recommends. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the patients found scrubs to be the most acceptable attire in an office-based outpatient setting. Patients also found physician mask-wearing to be important but are less accepting of providers wearing eye and hand protection.

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Bacterial contamination of medical providers’ white coats and surgical scrubs: A systematic review

Goyal

Khot

Ramachandran

et al. 2019

American Journal of Infection Control

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The Effect of an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon’s Attire on Patient Confidence and Trust

Abstract: Combining strong clinical skills with appropriate clinical attire highlighted by the physician wearing a white coat appears to be an effective way to enhance patient satisfaction while ultimately gaining the trust and respect needed to properly care for patients.

Cited by 12 publications

References 28 publications

The Effect of an Orthopaedic Surgeon's Attire on Patient Perceptions of Surgeon Traits and Identity: A Cross-Sectional Survey

The Effect of an Orthopaedic Surgeon's Attire on Patient Perceptions of Surgeon Traits and Identity: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Patient Perception of Physician Attire in the Outpatient Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bacterial contamination of medical providers’ white coats and surgical scrubs: A systematic review

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