Visual preference appraisals of children for physician attire: A cross-sectional study

Background: Psychologists highlight the importance of appearance and its effect on the first impression and subsequent, development of interpersonal relationship between the patient and the treating doctor. Adult responses to different attires of treating doctors have been well-documented, though there has been very little information regarding child patients on this aspect. The aim of the present study was to assess the preferences of child patients toward the dress code of their treating doctors and to relate the influence of age and previous exposure on such preferences. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed as a cross-sectional study wherein data were collected from 2500 child patients belonging to primary, secondary, and high school levels with the help of a questionnaire. A total of 10 photographs of 5 male and 5 female pediatric consultants of full size in the same background and stance of models in different dress codes were shown to the selected participants while they were asked to give their preferences in order. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis wherein statistical tests used included Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests and linear association. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The findings of the present study suggested that 35.6% of subjects preferred a white coat followed by scrubs with cartoons (21.8%) for male pediatric consultants while 38.2% of the subjects preferred a white coat followed by formal attire (28.4%) for female pediatric consultants. Furthermore, age had a significant impact on the preferences. Conclusions: White coat was the most preferred attire followed by scrubs with cartoons and formal attire.