Study: Patients want doctors to be well dressed

<br>(Chicago-AP) -- Casual dress shouldn't apply to doctors. <br><br>At least that's the conclusion of a study by two California dermatologists that appears in the latest Archives of Dermatology.

Monday, April 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Chicago-AP) -- Casual dress shouldn't apply to doctors.

At least that's the conclusion of a study by two California dermatologists that appears in the latest Archives of Dermatology.

Patients say they want doctors to dress formally and leave the blue jeans and sandals for their days off. Name badges, white coats and dress shoes are preferable for both male and female doctors.

Other turn offs: male doctors who wear open shirts, earrings, ponytails, surgical scrubs or cologne.

The researchers say a carefully dressed doctor might convey the image that he or she is meticulous and careful.