Patient attitudes toward the use of surgical scrubs in a military hospital clinic

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn) patients in a large military teaching hospital have a negative attitude toward the wearing of surgical scrubs by ob/gyn providers. METHODS: A convenience sample questionnaire on patient preferences, including two questions relating independently to military and civilian staff attire, was offered to clinic patients over a 2 month period. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify patient groups less accepting of the surgical scrubs in clinics. RESULTS: Over ninety-one percent of respondents viewed surgical scrubs with a white coat to be acceptable clinical attire for military or civilian providers. Eight percent preferred the more formal uniform or business dress. Non-white and Hispanic patients had higher rates of preference for more formal dress. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of ob/gyn patients surveyed did not view the use of surgical scrubs with a white coat negatively.