Impact of Physician Attire on Palliative Care Patients’ Perception of Physician Compassion and Professionalism: A Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) (S804)

Abstract

1.List different elements of communications skills.2.Discuss how attire can be a form of non-verbal communication. Environment is an important component of communication skills. Physicians’ communication style including attire may influence patient perceptions. Previous studies mostly based on pictures of providers in different attires provide conflicting evidence. This RCT aimed to explore the effects of a physician’s attire on patients’ perceptions. Hypothesis was that patients will perceive the physician with formal attire as more compassionate & professional than the physician wearing casual attire. 105 English speaking adult patients presenting as follow-ups to out-patient supportive care center, were randomized to watch 2 standardized, 3-minute video vignettes, with similar script, depicting a routine clinic encounter. In one video, physician was wearing formal attire with tie and buttoned up white coat, while in the other, physician was in casual attire without a tie or white coat. Actors and patients were all blinded to the purpose of the study. Investigators were blinded to the videos watched by the patients. After viewing each video, patients completed validated questionnaires rating their perception of physician compassion (0 = best, 50 = worst), professionalism (5 = poor, 25 = very good) & overall preference for the physician. No significant differences seen between formal and casual attire for compassion [median (interquartile range), 25 (10, 31) vs 20 (8, 27); P=0.31] and professionalism [17 (13, 21) vs 18 (14, 22); P=0.42]. 30% (32) patients preferred formal, 31% (33) preferred casual attire and 38% (40) had no preference. Subgroup analysis did not show statistically significant differences among age, sex, marital status & education level for compassion, professionalism & physician preference. Doctor’s attire did not have an impact on patients’ perceptions of physicians’ level of compassion & professionalism and did not influence their preferences for their doctor or their trust and confidence in the doctor’s ability to provide care. More RCTs are needed to better understand the impact of different forms of attire on patient perceptions & preferences.