Physicians - maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
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This article is intended for physicians involved in direct patient care.
The goal of this activity is to describe the role of physician attire in supporting the patient-physician relationship, according to an American College of Physicians (ACP) ethics case study and commentary.
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AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
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CME / ABIM MOC Released: 2/21/2020; Reviewed and Renewed: 2/6/2023
Valid for credit through: 2/6/2024, 11:59 PM EST
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Joe, a third-year medical student, is a few weeks into his first clerkship in July, in internal medicine. He has a number of questions regarding appropriate professional attire. During orientation for the third-year clerkships, male students were instructed to wear a shirt and tie every day, and all students were told to wear a white coat. He has noticed that some male residents and attendings do not wear a shirt and tie. In fact, especially on the weekends, most male attendings wear polo shirts or scrubs under their white coats, if they wear a white coat at all. Jeans are also common on the weekend. Moreover, he has seen the intensive care unit attendings exclusively wearing scrubs and white coats, and one hospitalist, in particular, always wears scrubs and no white coat.
He has discussed this with his fellow third-year student Elisa, and she shares his observations. Although Elisa agrees with him that it seems easier for women, she shares that she was told by female nurses that she should avoid wearing open-toed shoes. When Joe and Elisa asked their residents about the hospital dress code, they were referred to the residency program’s policy, which states "professional attire is required." Joe also heard the residents say that white coats and ties may harbor numerous bacteria and could cause infections in patients. Joe and Elisa are confused about what "professional attire" means, how they should dress and why, and what is best for patients.