Patients' preferences for physicians' attire in Qatar. A cross-sectional study

Background: Physicians’ attire is one important factor to enhance the physician-patient relationship. However, there are few studies that examine patients’ preferences for physicians’ attire in Qatar. This study aims to explore patients’ preferences regarding their physician’s attire (Business, Professional, Surgical Scrub, Casual, Qatari). Method: A total of 800 participants were included in this study; 400 subjects from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and 400 from Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care are major government healthcare institutions in Qatar. Any resident in Qatar can easily access them. Participants from PHCC were divided equally across the 3 health centers. This study used observational analytical cross-sectional study design, conducted at West Bay, Al Rayan, Leabaib Health Care Centers. As PHCC is divided into three main regions, we randomized the allocated health center in regards to these regions and we randomly chose the following mentioned study areas: Al Rayan health center in the Eastern area, West Bay Health Center in the middle, Leabaib health center in the Northern area and Hamad Medical Corporation Outpatients. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling, beginning with a randomly chosen individual, followed by every other patient on the physician’s list. During their waiting time before seeing the physician, patients were approached and invited to participate, with the physician remaining unaware of the patient’s participation status. All procedures followed the guidelines outlined in the research information sheet. The interviewer introduced themselves, providing their name and specialty, explained the study’s title and objectives, and requested that potential participants present their health card to verify age, confirm any history of mental illness, and specify their preferred language (Arabic or English). Verbal consent was obtained from all participants. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted using 800 patients enrolled, 461 (57.6%) of respondents were females. Age of subjects ranged from 18 to 65 years old. The majority of the respondents were non-Qatari (n=386, 48.3%). Most of the respondents preferred professional attire for physicians (n=541, 67.6%) and the majority preferred a female doctor slightly higher than male (n=362, 45.3% and n=325, 40.6% respectively). The most preferred attire for both family female and family male doctors was professional attire with white coat (n=507, 63.4% for female doctor attire and n=516, 64.5% for male doctor attire). Conclusions: Patients in the PHCC and Hamad General Hospital outpatient clinics in Qatar prefer their physicians to be dressed in professional attire. Our results highlighted a view regarding physicians’ attire, which can serve as a guide to improve patient’s respect and enhance confidence in doctors in Qatar. Key words: Physician attire, Business attire, Professional white coat attire, Surgical Scrub attire, Casual attire, Qatari attire.