A doctor's attire

The New York Times Health blog reported today about a new British National Health Service directive for physicians to wear clothing that allows for bare arms below the elbows and no longer wear neckties. The intention is to prevent infection transferred through the hems of loose or long clothing. The evidence of this practice is still emerging, and the U.S. has yet to institute such a policy.

Physicians across this country are encouraged to dress professionally, often including a long white coat. But clothing policies raise the questions of how clothes effect patients perceptions of a physician. Would you perceive your doctor differently if he or she was in short sleeves, without tie or white coat?

You can find the article here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/do-you-really-want-to-see-your-doctors-elbows/