School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Churchill, Victoria, Australia.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2009 Dec;22(6):504-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2009.01017.x.
Although client communications are affected by clients' assumptions about professionals' characteristics drawn from dress attire, little is known about how this dialogue operates in dietetics. The present study aimed to describe how dietitians and their clients interpret this dialogue and to explore the implications for practice.
A purposive quota sample of dietitians (n = 46) from 21 health services in one state of Australia and a quota of their adult patients (n = 34) were interviewed about dietitians' nutrition education roles. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and identified themes developed into a questionnaire to survey Australian dietitians. Analysis used frequencies and nonparametric statistics (P <0.05). Triangulation of the results obtained from the studies revealed a strong agreement between data sources.
Dietitians' dress attire was perceived as a key source of nonverbal communications by dietetics clients. This was recognised by 75% of the 256 dietitians who were surveyed nationally. Dietitians favoured a professional style (i.e. skirt or slacks, with top). Many clients rejected formal dress (i.e. suit, high heels) as being a potential communication barrier. Some clients viewed dietitians' bodily size/shape as a role model. Implications of dietitians' presentation (i.e. how you look) were important to both clients and dietitians.
Dress style is implicated in nonverbal communication dialogues between the dietitian and client. As a matter of competence and to maintain congruency in communication, dietitians should be aware of their clients' preferences for formality of dress, and conduct their attire accordingly.
尽管客户对专业人士的着装风格的看法会影响到与他们的沟通，但对于这种对话在营养学领域是如何运作的，我们知之甚少。本研究旨在描述营养师及其客户如何解释这种对话，并探讨其对实践的影响。
本研究采用目的抽样法从澳大利亚一个州的 21 个卫生服务机构中抽取了 46 名营养师（n=46），并对他们的成年患者（n=34）进行了关于营养师营养教育角色的访谈。对半结构化访谈进行了转录，并将主题发展成一份问卷，对澳大利亚营养师进行了调查。分析使用了频率和非参数统计（P<0.05）。对来自这两项研究的结果进行三角分析，显示出数据来源之间有很强的一致性。
营养师的着装被认为是营养师客户非言语沟通的一个关键来源。在全国范围内接受调查的 256 名营养师中，有 75%的人认为这一点。营养师倾向于专业的风格（即裙子或长裤，配上上衣）。许多客户拒绝正式的着装（即西装、高跟鞋），认为这可能是沟通的障碍。一些客户将营养师的体型/身材视为榜样。营养师的形象（即你看起来的样子）对客户和营养师都很重要。
着装风格与营养师和客户之间的非言语沟通对话有关。作为能力的体现，为了保持沟通的一致性，营养师应该了解客户对着装正式程度的偏好，并相应地着装。
