Appearances do matter for ICU physicians

Building trust between physicians and patients is an important part of delivering quality care, an according to new research, appearances may play a significant role in establishing that trust. A survey conducted in three ICUs found that patients and their family members feel it is important for physicians to be dressed professionally and neatly groomed, and wear a visible name tag. Respondents associated traditional physician attire with honesty, knowledge, and good care. Additional attributes such as age, race, gender, dress, tattoos or visible piercings, and overall first impressions also factored into perceptions of care quality and professionalism.

According to 65% of respondents, neat grooming was necessary for building trust, while 59% responded that they liked to see professional dress. Nearly a third of respondents said it was important for a physician to not have any tattoos or piercings. More than half of the survey participants expected their physicians to wear a white coat.

Source: Fierce Healthcare