This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Patients prefer dermatologists in professional attire

Most surveyed dermatology patients preferred professional attire, including a white coat, for their dermatologists across treatment settings, according to study results recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers conducted an anonymous survey of 216 English-speaking patients (mean age, 56.3 years) in the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Dermatology Department outpatient general dermatology, Mohs surgery and wound care clinics.

The survey included pictures of the same physician wearing business attire (suit and tie), professional attire (white coat and tie), surgical attire (scrubs) and casual attire (t-shirt and jeans) on a single page, so the images could be viewed simultaneously. The picture series included one of four physicians: a white man, white woman, black man or black woman. Patients indicated which physician (based on attire) they preferred in 19 survey questions.

There were 255 patients (49.4% men) included in outcome analysis. Fifty-six percent of survey respondents identified as Hispanic, and 85% as white. Most patients (72%) had a college degree or higher.

There were approximately 73% of cumulative responses for professional attire, followed by 19% for surgical attire, 6% for business attire and 2% for casual attire.

Exclusive preference of professional attire was more likely for patients who received a picture of a black man (adjusted OR = 3.21; 95% CI, 1.39-7.42) or black woman physician (OR = 2.78; 95% CI, 1.18-6.51) compared with patients who received a picture of a white male physician. Patients who were nonwhite (OR = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.1-0.83) or unemployed (OR = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08-0.99) were not as likely to prefer professional attire exclusively.

“Respondents preferred professional attire in all clinic settings, though respondents in the dermatology surgery clinic were less likely to prefer professional attire compared with respondents in the medical dermatologic clinic: race-adjusted OR = 0.75 (95% CI, 0.56-0.98),” the researchers wrote. “Contrary to our hypothesis, respondents preferred professional attire over scrubs in the surgical clinic.

“Professional attire is the predominantly preferred option for dermatologists in the medical, surgical and wound care setting,” the researchers concluded. “It is possible that patients’ perceptions of their physicians’ knowledge and skill is influenced by physicians’ appearance, and these perceptions may affect outcomes.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.