Beyond appearance: patient perspectives on the role of physician attire in trust

Mohammad Kazem  Sarpoolaki; Hanieh  Tavasoli; Amirali  Sohrabpoor; Fariba  Asghari

doi:10.18502/jmehm.v18i5.19209

Mohammad Kazem Sarpoolaki Assistant professor, Neurosurgery department, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hanieh Tavasoli Resident, Neurology department, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amirali Sohrabpoor Researcher, Masood GI Clinic, Tehran Iran.
Fariba Asghari Professor, Medical Ethics Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmehm.v18i5.19209

Keywords: Professionalism; Professional Behavior; Dress Code; Trust.

Abstract

This study examines the role of physician attire in building patient trust compared to other professional behaviors, identifying key attire-related factors that influence this trust. The study consisted of two parts. In the first part, patients and their companions participated in in-depth interviews to identify factors affecting their trust in doctors, including appearance. The findings from these interviews were used to create a survey questionnaire. In the second part of the study, 120 patients and their companions from two teaching hospitals were surveyed about the importance of doctors' attire and professional behaviors identified earlier. Qualitative interviews revealed three trust-building themes: general behavior (honesty and kindness), providing information (about diseases and necessary measures), and appearance (white coat and cleanliness). Quantitatively, 120 participants rated providing information (81%) and honesty (74.2%) as the most important factors in building trust, with appearance rated as very important (40%) but less critical (P < 0.001). White coats were prioritized over hygiene and clothing cleanliness (P < 0.0001), while 37.5% noted that tattoos or bright clothing reduced trust. The findings show that several factors are more important than the type of a doctor's attire in maintaining the patient's trust, and the dress code should prioritize safety and infection prevention.