White Coat or Casual? Here's What Patients Prefer

Key Takeaways

Physician attire -- namely, white coats -- affected patients' perceptions of professionalism, trust, and communication, according to a systematic review.

Patient preferences for physician attire depended on clinical environment, medical specialty, physician gender, and context of care, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Studies included in the review were conducted over the last decade; most were from the U.S.

Physician attire -- namely, white coats -- affected patients' perceptions of professionalism, trust, and communication, a systematic review indicated.

However, patient preferences for such attire depended on clinical environment, medical specialty, physician gender, and the context of care, including the COVID-19 pandemic, reported Bo-Young Youn of Hwasung Medi-Scien