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Should physicians have facial piercings?
Alison W Newman1, Seth W Wright, Keith D Wrenn
1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|April 20, 2005
Summary
Physician facial piercings like nose or lip rings negatively impact patient and faculty perceptions of competency and trustworthiness. Attire choices, including piercings, can affect patient confidence in healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Medical ethics
- Patient perception
- Professional appearance
Background:
- Physician attire and appearance can influence patient trust and perception.
- Nontraditional facial piercings are increasingly common in society.
- The impact of such piercings on patient-physician interactions is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient and medical faculty attitudes towards physicians with facial piercings.
- To determine if piercings affect the perceived competency and trustworthiness of physicians.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted at a southeastern US teaching hospital.
- Participants included emergency department patrons and medical school faculty.
- Methodology involved showing participants images of models with and without piercings to assess appropriateness, competency, and trustworthiness.
Main Results:
- 24% of patrons found nose piercings appropriate for physicians; 22% found lip piercings appropriate.
- Piercings negatively affected perceived physician competency and trustworthiness.
- Faculty physicians showed lower acceptance rates for nose (7%) and eyebrow (5%) piercings, with significant numbers bothered by working with such physicians.
Conclusions:
- Nontraditional facial piercings are viewed as inappropriate by many patients and physicians.
- These piercings can diminish perceived physician competency and trustworthiness.
- Healthcare providers should consider how their appearance, including piercings, may affect patient confidence and clinical judgment.