Authors

  1. Tadros, Farah J. BS
  2. Benoit, Teresa H. BS
  3. Folsom, Susannah C. BS
  4. Lim, Charissa M. BS
  5. Tanner, Marty BS
  6. Arbeau, Timothy BS, RPhT
  7. Solch, Rebecca J. BS
  8. Langkamp-Henken, Bobbi PhD, RDN

Abstract

Personal attributes, including dress, are contributors to perceived professionalism of a dietitian; however, few studies examine this relationship. This study determined whether perceived professionalism of a dietitian was influenced by attire. Participants (n = 474) completed an online questionnaire during which they were randomized to watch 1 of 4 identically scripted videos, of a dietitian, wearing 1 of 4 combinations of attire (business professional with a white coat, business professional without a white coat, scrubs with a white coat, and scrubs without a white coat) giving a diet instruction. Participants rated professionalism by scoring 8 subcharacteristics, averaged to represent a mean total professionalism score. Attire and white coat did not influence perceived professionalism of a dietitian.