Hippocrates said that physicians "must be clean in person, well dressed, and anointed with sweet-smelling unguents. . . " Most would agree with the first requirement, debate the second, and, given the sensitivity of many patients to perfumes, resist the third. In this study, researchers bring evidence to the debate over physician attire.
At a Veterans Affairs internal medicine outpatient clinic in Charleston, South Carolina, 400 patients and visitors (mean age, 52; 54% male; 58% white; 43% with at least high school educations) were shown photographs of physicians dressed in four different styles: professional attire with a white coat, surgical scrubs, business attire, and casual dress. Subjects were asked which style they preferred and which physician, based on his or her attire, they would be most likely to trust, to share sensitive information with, and to return to for follow-up. In aggregate, respondents heavily favored white coats (76%) over surgical scrubs (10%), business dress (9%), and casual attire (5%). This preference extended to the respondents’ willingness to follow advice and to return to for subsequent care.
In one of the first studies of physician attire to be conducted in an outpatient internal medicine clinic, respondents heavily favored professional clothing with white coats. One could easily discount the importance of this study, given that it was conducted in one location, but perhaps we’re underestimating the therapeutic value of a white coat.
Reference:
Rehman SU et al. What to wear today? Effect of doctor's attire on the trust and confidence of patients. Am J Med 2005 Nov; 118:1279-86.