The Impact of Physician Demographic Characteristics on Perceptions of Their Attire

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Few studies address the impact of physician attire on ratings of personality characteristics in the presence of varied physician demographic characteristics (gender, racial/ethnic background). Even fewer have examined the boundaries of acceptable physician attire, given recent loosening of societal standards of dress. Methods: Using an online survey methodology, adult participants (N=505; 45% medical professionals) were recruited. Participants rated target photos depicting a male and female individual from three ethnic/racial categories each dressed in business casual (with and without a white coat) or in professional attire (with and without a white coat) on a number of personality characteristics. General willingness to have physicians wear certain apparel items was also queried, as was the importance/acceptability of specific clothing items and appearance choices. Responses were analyzed by gender, age, ethnicity, and profession of respondent. Results: Both business casual and professional attire were rated highly. A name tag had the highest ratings for importance of wear. The results for wearing a white coat were not as consistent as earlier studies as physicians were perceived as warmer and kinder when not wearing a lab coat, particularly with professional attire. However, female Caucasian physicians were rated most positively when wearing a lab coat. Consistent with previous studies, attire that was too casual (jeans, t-shirts) was rated negatively. Conclusions: The current study supports the notion that rules of attire are changing, even in the physician’s office. Name tags were perceived to be crucial in medical settings, and casual clothing should be avoided. Despite often being considered a defining component of a physician’s “uniform,” the white lab coat may not be a universal positive and perhaps even a negative for some physicians.

First year medical students’ perceptions of the impact of wearing scrubs on professional identity: a narrative analysis in the United Arab Emirates

“… 26 Irrespective of the larger number of woman medical students, a higher woman response rate is not surprising, as women physicians have reported being mistaken for other members of the healthcare team, receptionists or other patients, when wearing certain attire. 21 Other studies have also noted that patient perceptions are more influenced by clothing choices for woman physicians, when compared with their man colleagues. 16 As such, women may have stronger opinions regarding clothing attire and are, thereby, more likely to participate in related research studies.…”

“…Indeed, the literature has highlighted these concerns, with some studies concluding that professional attire can be intimidating or frightening to some patients and even form a nonverbal barrier to communication, by representing a clear hierarchy in the doctor–patient relationship. 21 For the individual, wearing professional attire carries expectations of the role and conveys a message about personal responsibilities. 4 It is not surprising that a few of our students expressed hesitation about these expectations, given their limited medical knowledge and clinical exposure.…”

Physician Attire Influences Patient and Family Perceptions of Care in the Palliative Care Unit in Japan

“…This result is consistent with the results of previous studies in non-palliative care settings conducted around the world. 1,8,18-28 White coats are the symbols of the physicians and, together with name tags, they can appeal to the patients and the family members that they were seen by trusted medical professionals. They feel relieved to have their reliable doctors make formal rounds on them in a university hospital.…”

What attributes do patients prefer in a family physician? A cross-sectional study in a northern region of Portugal

“…5 A recent study in USA in 2019 reported that physician's name tags were perceived to be crucial in medical settings. 28 Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine which modifiable and non-modifiable attributes patients prefer in a family physician. In addition, we aimed to understand if patients' sociodemographic characteristics influence their preference for gender, age, nationality of the family physician and importance of greeting with a handshake, of using an identification badge and of wearing a white coat.…”