Patients' Perception toward doctors' appearance and its influence on doctor–Patient relationship: A cross-sectional study
Background: Despite technological advances and changes that the medical fraternity has experienced in the last few decades, the physical appearance of physicians still influences the patients' perception of doctors. The basis of medical practice depends on a robust doctor–patient relationship...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mjdrdypv.org/article.asp?issn=2589-8302;year=2023;volume=16;issue=2;spage=173;epage=177;aulast=Laikhuram |
| Summary: | Background: Despite technological advances and changes that the medical fraternity has experienced in the last few decades, the physical appearance of physicians still influences the patients' perception of doctors. The basis of medical practice depends on a robust doctor–patient relationship and efforts should be made to build rapport to foster a partnership to provide patient-centered care. Objective: The aim of this objection is to determine the patient's perception of doctors' appearance and its influence on the doctor–patient relationship. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending OPD in health-care centers of Manipur from January 2022 to February 2022. Five hundred and forty-four patients were interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire. A Chi-square test was performed to check for an association between independent and outcome variables (P < 0.05). Results: Mean age of the participants was 36.40 years (±12.55). A percentage of 60.80 were females and 64% of the participants were from the tertiary care center, Imphal West. A percentage of 60.5 preferred doctors' attire to be formal with a white coat. A percentage of 52.9 of them perceived that doctors' attire will make them seem more approachable. A percentage of 39.7 had preferences in doctors' gender. Participants from urban health-care centers had significantly more preference for the doctors' attire to be a formal dress with a white coat (P = 0.04). Age group, gender, type of setting, and education level were significantly associated with gender preference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The majority of the participant had no preference over the doctor's gender and preferred doctors' attire to be formal with a white coat. The doctor's hair dye, facial piercing, and tattoos didn't bother a majority of the patients. |
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| ISSN: | 2589-8302 2589-8310 |