Content area
Full Text
When imagining a doctor, many people picture a clean-cut, conservatively dressed person in a crisp, white lab coat. Almost never do they conjure electric blue hair, an octopus tattoo, or a row of eyebrow piercings - yet these sorts of looks have become more common and accepted in modern society. If young doctors follow suit, will it become a problem in the conservative world of medicine?
Studies have long suggested that patients care about how health care providers look, and that they want them to look like that picture in their head. In surveys, patients have indicated that they prefer their doctors wearing formal clothing, such as a "neat blouse" and "smart pants" for women, and "collared shirts" and "smart shoes" for men. Many patients feel most comfortable when there's a white coat on top.
Given that, it's not surprising that things like piercings, tattoos and neon hair are controversial. One study found that nose and lip piercings were associated with lower ratings of competency and trustworthiness by both patients and medical colleagues. In another, female health care providers with unconventional body piercings were seen as less confident,...