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Psychiatrists and their patients: Views on forms of dress and address

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Julia A. Gledhill ,
James P. Warner  and
Michael King
Julia A. Gledhill*
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital
James P. Warner
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London
Michael King
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London
*
Dr J. P. Warner, University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Rowland Hill Street. London NW3 2QG. Tel: 0171-794-0500. Fax: 0171-830-2808. e-mail: warner@rfhsm.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background

Dress styles and forms of address vary among psychiatrists.

Method

A semi-structured interview was administered to a sample of psychiatric in-patients, and a questionnaire was sent to junior and consultant psychiatrists, to identify preferences for dress styles and terms of address.

Results

Forty-nine (71%) of the inpatient sample participated. A preference was found for smart attire and white coats. Of the 69 (80%) doctors returning questionnaires, the majority supported smart dress as the most appropriate attire. Most patients preferred to be called by their first name while addressing doctors by title and surname. Junior doctors preferred to use first names when talking to patients while almost all consultants used title and surname. Doctors of all grades liked to be called by their title and surname.

Conclusions

Paying more attention to the way we present ourselves and interact at work may help to facilitate the therapeutic alliance.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 228 - 232
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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