Psychiatric patients: Views on psychiatrists' dress and address
Authors: Nome Eikhom, Marianne1; Torsaeter, Marit2; Wik, Gustav3
Source: Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 60, Number 4, August 2006 , pp. 270-274(5)
Publisher: Informa Healthcare
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Abstract:
Dress styles and forms of address vary among psychiatrists according to personal preferences. Gledhill et al. ( Br J Psychiatry 1997;171;228-32) asked the patients in a London psychiatric hospital about their views on their psychiatrists' dress and address. To survey the preferences of our patients and reproduce the study of Gledhill et al., we interviewed Norwegian psychiatric inpatients and outpatients to identify preferences for dress styles and terms of address. Our patients preferred fairly smart attire. Most patients wanted to be called by their first name; about half wanted to address their doctors by their first name and half by surname. Results were somewhat different from the London survey, but the conclusion is similar: paying more attention to the way psychiatrists interact and present themselves may facilitate the therapeutic alliance with their patients.Keywords: Attitudes; Professional patient; Relationships
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1080/08039480600790085
Affiliations: 1: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Bergen, Sandviken Hospital, NO-5035, Bergen, Norway 2: Oppland Central Hospital, OSS Reinsvoll, NO-2840, Reinsvoll, Norway 3: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Bergen, Norway
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