In any healthcare setting, there is a strong emphasis on building a strong doctor-patient relationship. This is an important aspect that is difficult to quantify. This relationship begins even before the presentation between the physician and patient takes place. It can begin with the doctor's punctuality or whether the doctor washes his or her hands when entering the room. Drawing from the literature in social and behavioral sciences, clothing not only affects the wearer's perception of themselves and their performance, but also plays an important role in how they are perceived by others.

In the 20th century, the white coat was seen as the fundamental image of the medical profession. Initially, the white coat was commonly used among scientists in 19th century laboratory settings; subsequently, this white coat was borrowed from the field to provide credibility to those who wore them, while also symbolizing common themes of purity and cleanliness. Over time, however, concerns about the spread of infection led people to stop wearing white coats.

The survey consisted of two parts; the first contained basic demographic and socioeconomic information, and the second included hypothetical clinical encounters prior to the first meeting with plastic and reconstructive surgeons at the clinic, followed by questions about the physician's dress code shown in the photographs.

There were 6 different clinic outfits presented to participants as photographs of white male and female models. the 6 dress codes were: casual without a white coat, casual with a white coat, hand wash coat without a white coat, hand wash coat with a white coat, formal without a white coat, and formal with a white coat.

The mean of the reported Likert scale ratings was the standard deviation of each garment according to the criteria examined. Descriptive statistics were performed to compare different garments, using t-tests for numerical variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. The total score reported was the average of all criteria assessed, including appropriateness of dress, physician competence, physician credibility, physician professionalism, potential relationship with the physician, and confidence in the physician.