Looks do matter: Patients’ perspective

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine patients’ preferred choice of pre-selected attire for physicians in the out-patient departments of urban hospitals and nursing homes.
Methodology: A questionnaire along with the consent form was created. Questions included the respondents’ name, age, gender and preference for a white coat. They also had to choose one of the pre-selected attires (casual, informal, formal and in-hospice dress) as their preferred dress code for doctors for both male and female separately.
Results:Formal professional dress was the most desired attire for both male and female doctors, attributing to 42.4% and 40.9% respectively and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.002).
Conclusion: The physical appearance and dress code of the attending doctor does make an impression on the patients and their caregivers. White coats were strongly preferred with informal/ formal attire.