Kazuhiro Kamata1, Akira Kuriyama2, Vineet Chopra3,4, Sanjay Saint3,4, Nathan Houchens3,4, Christopher M Petrilli4,5, Latoya Kuhn3, Ashley Snyder4, Naoto Ishimaru6, Hiromizu Takahashi7, Yasuharu Tokuda8. 1. Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Unit, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani," Rome, Italy. 2. Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Okayama, Japan. 3. Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 4. Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 5. Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA. 6. Department of General Internal Medicine, Akashi Medical Center, Hyogo, Japan. 7. Department of General Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. 8. Department of Medicine, Muribushi Project for Okinawa Residency Programs, Okinawa, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that patients have specific expectations regarding physician dress. Japan has a cultural background that is in many ways distinct from western countries. Thus, physician attire may have a different impact in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study to examine patients' preferences for and perceptions of physician attire in Japan. The questionnaire was developed using photographs of either a male or female physician dressed in seven different forms of attire, and it was randomly distributed to inpatients and outpatients. Respondents were asked to rate the provider pictured; they were also asked to provide preferences for different forms of attire in varied clinical settings. Preference was evaluated for five domains (knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, approachable, and comfortable). We also assessed variation in preferences for attire by respondent characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 1,233 (61%) patients indicated that physician dress was important, and 950 (47%) patients agreed that it influenced their satisfaction with care. Compared with all forms, casual attire with a white coat was the most preferred dress. Older patients more often preferred formal attire with a white coat in primary care and hospital settings. In addition, physician attire had a greater impact on older respondents' satisfaction and experience. CONCLUSION: The majority of Japanese patients indicated that physician attire is important and influenced their satisfaction with care. Geography, settings of care, and patient age appear to play a role in patient preferences.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that patients have specific expectations regarding physician dress. Japan has a cultural background that is in many ways distinct from western countries. Thus, physician attire may have a different impact in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study to examine patients' preferences for and perceptions of physician attire in Japan. The questionnaire was developed using photographs of either a male or female physician dressed in seven different forms of attire, and it was randomly distributed to inpatients and outpatients. Respondents were asked to rate the provider pictured; they were also asked to provide preferences for different forms of attire in varied clinical settings. Preference was evaluated for five domains (knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, approachable, and comfortable). We also assessed variation in preferences for attire by respondent characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 1,233 (61%) patients indicated that physician dress was important, and 950 (47%) patients agreed that it influenced their satisfaction with care. Compared with all forms, casual attire with a white coat was the most preferred dress. Older patients more often preferred formal attire with a white coat in primary care and hospital settings. In addition, physician attire had a greater impact on older respondents' satisfaction and experience. CONCLUSION: The majority of Japanese patients indicated that physician attire is important and influenced their satisfaction with care. Geography, settings of care, and patient age appear to play a role in patient preferences.