Miller S, Neil ER, Moffit DM, Burns S, Mansell JL. Rehabilitative Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of Appearance-Based Professionalism.
J Athl Train 2024;
59:558-569. [PMID:
38782406 PMCID:
PMC11127674 DOI:
10.4085/1062-6050-0373.23]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT
Professionalism has been discussed and defined in a variety of ways, including attire and other forms of self-expression.
OBJECTIVES
To determine athletic trainer (AT), physical therapist (PT), and athletic training or PT students' perceptions of appearance-based professionalism in the workplace and, secondly, to ascertain how perceptions differed across professions.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Web-based survey.
PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Athletic trainers, PTs, and athletic training and PT students who were predominantly White, non-Hispanic, female, aged 30 ± 9 years, and recruited via listservs and social media.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The independent variables were participant demographics. The dependent variables were self-reported perceptions of professionalism for each photo. The survey consisted of 3 sections: demographics, 8 photos of ATs or PTs with depictions of patient-provider interactions, and open-ended responses. For each photo, participants selected yes, no, or unsure regarding the photo. An open-ended response was prompted with a no or unsure selection. The participant further described the reason for that choice.
RESULTS
Most participants determined the health care provider depicted in 7 photos appeared professional. Only 1 photo was deemed unprofessional by the professional majority. Significant differences existed between students and professionals for 5 photos. The proportion of participants who reported the photos were unprofessional differed among professions for 2 photos. From our qualitative analysis, we found 6 domains: (1) unprofessional attire and hair, (2) situation-dependent attire, (3) role confusion and health care employer or employee identification, (4) nonappearance related, (5) tattoo-related bias, and (6) rethinking after question is displayed.
CONCLUSION
What is considered appropriate and professional is not concrete. Differing concepts of professionalism generated biased judgments and criticisms.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Our findings should lead providers to reexamine the definition of professionalism. The past should not dictate the future, and today's social mores can help shape the definition as it should be considered in today's settings.
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