Dataset Information

Understanding patient preference for physician attire in ambulatory clinics: a cross-sectional observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We explored patient perceptions regarding physician attire in different clinical contexts and resultant effects on the physician-patient relationship.

Setting

The 900-bed University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.

Participants

A convenience sample of patients receiving care in dermatology, infectious diseases and neurology ambulatory clinics of the University Hospital Zurich participated in a paper-based survey.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The survey instrument was randomised and showed photographs of male or female physicians wearing various forms of attire. On the basis of the respondents' ratings of how the physician's attire affected perceptions across five domains (knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, approachable and comfort with the physician), a composite preference score for attire was calculated as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included variation in preferences by respondent characteristics and context in which care was provided.

Results

Of 834 patient respondents (140 in dermatology, 422 in infectious diseases and 272 in neurology), 298 (36%) agreed that physician attire was important. When compared with all available choices, the combination of white scrubs with white coat was rated highest while a business suit ranked lowest. Variation in preferences and opinions for attire were noted relative to respondent demographics and the clinical setting in which the survey was administered. For example, compared with younger patients, respondents ?65 years of age more often reported that physician dress was both important to them and influenced how happy they were with their care (p=0.047?and p=0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Outpatients at a large Swiss University hospital prefer their physicians to be dressed in white scrubs with white coat. Substantial variation among respondents based on demographics, type of physician and clinical setting were observed. Healthcare systems should consider context of care when defining policies related to dress code.

SUBMITTER: Zollinger M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6528053 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Understanding patient preference for physician attire in ambulatory clinics: a cross-sectional observational study.

Zollinger Marc M Houchens Nathan N Chopra Vineet V Clack Lauren L Schreiber Peter Werner PW Kuhn Latoya L Snyder Ashley A Saint Sanjay S Petrilli Christopher M CM Sax Hugo H

BMJ open 20190509 5

<h4>Objectives</h4>We explored patient perceptions regarding physician attire in different clinical contexts and resultant effects on the physician-patient relationship.<h4>Setting</h4>The 900-bed University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.<h4>Participants</h4>A convenience sample of patients receiving care in dermatology, infectious diseases and neurology ambulatory clinics of the University Hospital Zurich participated in a paper-based survey.<h4>Primary and secondary outcome measures</h4>The sur ...[more]

PMID: 31072853

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Project description:OBJECTIVE:Several large studies have shown that improving the patient experience is associated with higher reported patient satisfaction, increased adherence to treatment and clinical outcomes. Whether physician attire can affect the patient experience-and how this influences satisfaction-is unknown. Therefore, we performed a national, cross-sectional study to examine patient perceptions, expectations and preferences regarding physicians dress. SETTING:10 academic hospitals in the USA. PARTICIPANTS:Convenience sample of 4062 patients recruited from 1 June 2015 to 31 October 2016. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES:We conducted a questionnaire-based study of patients across 10 academic hospitals in the USA. The questionnaire included photographs of a male and female physician dressed in seven different forms of attire. Patients were asked to rate the provider pictured in various clinical settings. Preference for attire was calculated as the composite of responses across five domains (knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, approachable and comfortable) via a standardised instrument. Secondary outcome measures included variation in preferences by respondent characteristics (eg, gender), context of care (eg, inpatient vs outpatient) and geographical region. RESULTS:Of 4062 patient responses, 53% indicated that physician attire was important to them during care. Over one-third agreed that it influenced their satisfaction with care. Compared with all other forms of attire, formal attire with a white coat was most highly rated (p=0.001 vs scrubs with white coat; p<0.001 all other comparisons). Important differences in preferences for attire by clinical context and respondent characteristics were noted. For example, respondents≥65 years preferred formal attire with white coats (p<0.001) while scrubs were most preferred for surgeons. CONCLUSIONS:Patients have important expectations and perceptions for physician dress that vary by context and region. Nuanced policies addressing physician dress code to improve patient satisfaction appear important.

Project description: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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Dataset Information

Understanding patient preference for physician attire in ambulatory clinics: a cross-sectional observational study.

Objectives

Setting

Participants

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Understanding patient preference for physician attire in ambulatory clinics: a cross-sectional observational study.

Similar Datasets

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