Glasgow patients' attitude to doctors' dress and appearance.

Three hundred out patients were surveyed by questionnaire to determine their views of doctors' dress and appearance. The majority felt that this was important. Most patients did not mind a male doctor with an earring, a women in trousers or a man without a tie. A majority preferred their doctors to wear a white coat, be free of political badges and for men to have conventional length hair. Older patients are stricter than young patients. Most strict patients would accept more relaxed standards at night and during the weekend.