Researchers found suits and ties have no bearing on patients' perception of treatment credibility, according to a recent study published in the journal of Patient Education & Counseling.
After 128 patients received a standardized briefing from a clinician prior to undergoing treatment for lower back pain, researchers surveyed participants on their perceived credibility of the treatment. Clinicians were randomly assigned to wear either formal or casual attire. Analysis revealed clinician attire to be non-influential regarding patient perception of treatment credibility.
"Most physicians prefer to wear formal attire whereas allied health clinicians, such as physiotherapists, tend to dress casually or in uniforms," said lead author Adrian Traeger of Neuroscience Research Australia. "We thought that many clinicians might reconsider their dress code if the evidence suggested that formal attire affected the credibility, and therefore the efficacy, of their treatment. However, it seems to be that clothing choice doesn't have as a great an impact on a patient's perception of the treatment's credibility as we thought."
More articles on quality:
TRC provides new medication error reduction resource for nurses
New research centers to target demographic health disparities in the treatment of chronic disease
Bakersfield Heart Hospital awarded for high quality heart care