Influence of Physician Attire on Patient Perceptions
Summary
Physician attire serves as a powerful nonverbal cue shaping patient impressions of competence, trustworthiness and approachability. Traditional white coats remain emblematic of medical authority and hygiene, while more casual or specialised garments such as scrubs or business attire convey differing levels of formality and professionalism. Cultural context, clinical setting and patient demographics all modulate these perceptions. In recent years, concerns about infection control, especially during infectious disease outbreaks, have led to evolving guidelines on attire hygiene and personal protective equipment, further influencing patient expectations. Across diverse healthcare environments, attire choices can affect rapport, satisfaction and adherence to treatment, underscoring the practical importance of dress codes that balance professional symbolism with contemporary safety considerations.
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Influence of Physician Attire on Patient Perceptions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in influence of physician attire on patient perceptions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Scrubs: Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing worn by medical staff, typically consisting of a top and trousers, designed for hygiene and ease of movement.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gear such as masks, gloves and eye protection used to minimise transmission of infectious agents between healthcare workers and patients.
Cross-sectional study: An observational research design that analyses data from a population at a single point in time to assess prevalence of outcomes or attitudes.
White coat: A long, white overgarment historically adopted in medicine to symbolise cleanliness, professionalism and the scientific nature of clinical practice.
References
- Patient Perception of Physician Attire in the Outpatient Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAAOS Global Research and Reviews (2021).
- Patient’s Preference on Neurosurgeon’s Attire and Appearance: A Single Center Study in Korea Cross‐Sectional Study. BioMed Research International (2019).
- La imagen importa? Influencia de la vestimenta del traumatlogo en la eleccin y confianza del paciente. Revista Medica de Chile (2017).
- Patients Attitude towards Surgeons Attire in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. International Journal of Health Policy and Management (2015).
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