What does this research mean for the field?

Patients in a Sri Lankan outpatient setting generally prefer scrubs for both male and female physicians and perceive them as having the lowest infection risk, although preference for traditional attire increases significantly with patient age. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe outpatient visitors' perceptions of physician attire, grooming, and attire-related infection risks, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these views.

August 30, 2026Discover Social Science and HealthOpen Access

Patient perceptions of physician attire and perceived infection risk associated with attire and grooming in outpatient care at a tertiary care hospital in Central Sri Lanka

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Authors

JAJananie Abeygunasekera ASAnushka Sachini MKMalindi Kulathunga

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Cross-sectional study demonstrates strong preferences for scrubs and short sleeves among outpatient visitors, indicating that clinical attire signals both professionalism and hygiene safety.

Key Points

To describe outpatient visitors' perceptions of physician attire, grooming, and attire-related infection risks, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these views.
Conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using convenience sampling among 351 adult visitors at a tertiary hospital outpatient department in Sri Lanka.
Administered a structured questionnaire on attire, grooming, and infection risks, analyzing associations via Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (significance threshold p < 0.05).
Scrubs were preferred for male (57.0%, n=200) and female physicians (55.3%, n=194), with preference decreasing significantly with age (male: 65.5% in young vs 34.1% in older adults, p < 0.001; female: 63.0% vs 34.1%, p = 0.002).
Preference for traditional attire rose with age, as sarees were favored by 18.2% of young, 35.9% of middle-aged, and 54.5% of older adults (p < 0.001).
Among respondents, 80.6% (n=283) recognized that clothing harbors microorganisms, 54.7% (n=192) viewed attire as an infection source, and 85.4% (n=164) deemed short sleeves more favorable for hand hygiene.

Cite This Study

Abeygunasekera et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f1176c1a8fb52e79dbc0 https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-026-00481-9

View Full Paper

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August 30, 2026Discover Social Science and HealthOpen Access

Patient perceptions of physician attire and perceived infection risk associated with attire and grooming in outpatient care at a tertiary care hospital in Central Sri Lanka

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

JAJananie Abeygunasekera ASAnushka Sachini MKMalindi Kulathunga

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Cross-sectional study demonstrates strong preferences for scrubs and short sleeves among outpatient visitors, indicating that clinical attire signals both professionalism and hygiene safety.

Key Points

To describe outpatient visitors' perceptions of physician attire, grooming, and attire-related infection risks, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these views.
Conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using convenience sampling among 351 adult visitors at a tertiary hospital outpatient department in Sri Lanka.
Administered a structured questionnaire on attire, grooming, and infection risks, analyzing associations via Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (significance threshold p < 0.05).
Scrubs were preferred for male (57.0%, n=200) and female physicians (55.3%, n=194), with preference decreasing significantly with age (male: 65.5% in young vs 34.1% in older adults, p < 0.001; female: 63.0% vs 34.1%, p = 0.002).
Preference for traditional attire rose with age, as sarees were favored by 18.2% of young, 35.9% of middle-aged, and 54.5% of older adults (p < 0.001).
Among respondents, 80.6% (n=283) recognized that clothing harbors microorganisms, 54.7% (n=192) viewed attire as an infection source, and 85.4% (n=164) deemed short sleeves more favorable for hand hygiene.

Cite This Study

Abeygunasekera et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f1176c1a8fb52e79dbc0 https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-026-00481-9

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark