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- Title
Evidence for preferences of Italian patients for physician attire.
- Authors
Sotgiu, Giovanni; Nieddu, Paolo; Mameli, Laura; Sorrentino, Enrico; Pirina, Pietro; Porcu, Alberto; Madeddu, Stefano; Idini, Manuela; Di Martino, Maddalena; Delitala, Giuseppe; Mura, Ida; Dore, Maria Pina
- Abstract
Background: The relationship between patient and physician is a complex interaction that includes multiple factors. The objective of this study was to explore Italian patients' preferences regarding physician appearance. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to survey patients in different medical and surgical settings; each subject was asked to choose one picture of either a male or female physician from a selection of different attires (professional, casual, surgical scrubs, trendy, and careless). Patients were also surveyed about issues such as the presence of a name tag, hair length, trousers on women, amount of makeup, presence of tattoos, and body piercing. Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test. Results: A total of 765 questionnaires (534 completed from patients waiting for an internal medicine visit and 231 for other subspecialties) were completed. The majority (45%) of patients preferred the gastroenterologist to wear a surgical scrub with a white coat. For the other specialists, patients accepted either scrubs or formal dress under a white coat (P ⩽ 0.05), with a name tag. Trendy attire was preferred by nine patients (1.1%). The entire sample judged it inappropriate for clinicians to have long hair, visible tattoos, body piercing, and, for women, to wear trousers and use excessive makeup. Conclusion: This is the first study conducted in Italy regarding physician attire. As in other Western countries, Italian patients favor physicians in professional attire with a white coat. Wearing professional dress is part of "etiquette based medicine" and may favorably influence clinician-patient relationships and patient compliance
- Subjects
PHYSICIAN-patient relations; MEDICAL cooperation; SURGICAL scrub; TATTOOING; PATIENT-professional relations
- Publication
Patient Preference & Adherence, 2012, Vol 6, p361
- ISSN
1177-889X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2147/PPA.S29587