Perceived Professionalism of a Dietitian Is Not Influenced by Attire or White Coat

Abstract

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Personal attributes, including dress, are contributors to perceived professionalism of a dietitian; however, few studies examine this relationship. This study determined whether perceived professionalism of a dietitian was influenced by attire. Participants (n = 474) completed an online questionnaire during which they were randomized to watch 1 of 4 identically scripted videos, of a dietitian, wearing 1 of 4 combinations of attire (business professional with a white coat, business professional without a white coat, scrubs with a white coat, and scrubs without a white coat) giving a diet instruction. Participants rated professionalism by scoring 8 subcharacteristics, averaged to represent a mean total professionalism score. Attire and white coat did not influence perceived professionalism of a dietitian.