Physician attire is more than a matter of comfort or habit—it can influence patient perceptions of professionalism, trustworthiness, and approachability. A recent systematic review of 32 studies from multiple countries found that preferences for physician dress vary widely by clinical environment, specialty, gender, and cultural context.
While the white coat remains a powerful symbol in many settings, scrubs, casual attire, and personal protective equipment have gained prominence, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Physician Attire Shapes Patient Perceptions
Attire impacts trust, professionalism, and communication — and preferences are context-specific.
Context Drives Clothing Choices
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Primary Care: Casual + white coat → approachability & long-term rapport.
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Emergency & OR: Scrubs signal competence & readiness.
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Inpatient Wards: White coat over scrubs/business attire boosts credibility.
Different Fields, Different Dress Codes
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White coat: Dermatology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, OB-GYN.
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Scrubs: Anaesthesiology, gastroenterology, breast radiology, surgery.
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Mixed: Internal medicine, family medicine.
How Gender Shapes Attire Impressions
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Male physicians: More authoritative in formal attire + white coat; accessories enhance authority.
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Female physicians: White coats show professionalism but risk nurse misidentification.
Hygiene & Practicality Take Center Stage
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Surge in scrubs + PPE for infection control.
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Decline in formal attire preference; casual more acceptable.
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Surgical/N95 masks most trusted; non-transparent masks reduce emotional connection.
Study Snapshot
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32 studies analyzed
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53% from USA; rest global
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59.7% picture-based quantitative
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87.5% of studies had a sample size greater than 100 patients
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4 core themes (environment, specialty, gender, COVID)
Dress for the Setting & Patient
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Align attire with environment & patient expectations.
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Flexible dress codes → stronger trust & satisfaction.
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Keep post-pandemic hygiene standards in mind.
Source: BMJ Open
