PROFESSIONAL DRESS GUIDELINES

As representatives of the medical profession, all medical students at MCOM are expected to maintain an image that inspires credibility, trust, respect, and confidence in one’s colleagues and patients. Appropriate dress is also essential to enhance patient safety in the clinical setting.

When students are assigned to clinical activities in any of MCOM’s participating institutions, they should consider themselves as representatives of MCOM. Attire and behavior should promote a positive impression for the individual student, the specific course, and the institution. In addition to the guidelines outlined below, certain departments and some affiliate clinical institutions may require alternate dress guidelines, which must be followed. These requirements typically will be included in written course materials, but if any doubt exists, it is the responsibility of the student to inquire. The following are expectations concerning appropriate dress and personal appearance.

General Standards

1. All clothing must be clean, neat, professionally styled, and in good repair. Dress appropriately professional for the situation. Good personal hygiene and grooming should be maintained at all times.

2. Excessive use of fragrances should be avoided as some people may be sensitive to scented chemicals.

3. Hair should be neat and clean. Hairstyle and/or color should not interfere with assigned duties, or present a physical hazard to the patient, the student, or another person.

4. Fingernails should be clean and of short to medium length. Students may not have acrylic nails while providing patient care services.

Standards in the classroom setting

1. Dress appropriately professional for the situation.

2. Students are permitted to wear casual clothing provided they are clean, in good repair, and do not contain any offensive language, or pictures.

Examples of inappropriate attire in the classroom setting include, but are not limited to the following

· Clothing that is not in good condition (e.g., have holes, ragged hems, or patches)

· Bedroom slippers

· Shirts, or other apparel with images, wording, or logos that may be perceived as offensive to others

· Halter tops, translucent tops, tops with plunging necklines, or tops that leave the midriff exposed

· Clothing that exposes undergarments

· Sunglasses when indoors

· Any attire that could be perceived as sexually provocative to a reasonable person

Standards in the laboratory setting

1. Students should follow the guidelines as established for the classroom setting

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations prohibit open-toe shoes

Standards in the clinical care setting

1. Professional attire and physician-identifying clothing. Dress appropriately professional for the situation (e.g., dress shirt, tie, long pants, socks, and hard-soled shoes; dresses, or skirts of medium length, or professional style slacks).

i. A white coat with the USF Morsani College of Medicine embroidered logo and a name badge are required.

ii. Shoes must be comfortable, clean, in good repair, and appropriate to the job and duties. Beach-type shoes (such as thongs or flip-flops) and bedroom slippers are not appropriate.

· Note: While wearing a white coat in the clinical setting, medical students are expected to identify themselves as students at all times and must assume responsibility to clarify their role to patients.

Examples of inappropriate attire in the clinical setting include, but are not limited to the following

1. Shorts

2. Blue denim jean pants of any length

3. Pants, or slacks that are not in good condition (e.g., have holes, ragged hems, or patches)

4. Exercise, or workout clothing, including sweatpants, spandex, or leggings

5. Sandals, or bedroom slippers

6. Caps, or hats unless worn for medical, or religious reasons, or for nature of specific duties

7. Shirts, or other apparel with images, wording, or logos that may be perceived as offensive to patients, families, or others

8. Tank tops, halter tops, translucent tops, tops with plunging necklines, or tops that leave the midriff, or back exposed

9. Clothing that exposes undergarments

10. Sunglasses when indoors

11. Any attire that could be perceived as sexually provocative to a reasonable person

Standards for home visits

1. The same as the guidelines for the clinical care setting, except students are not required to wear white coats, or badges when making home visits.

2. In general, the dress should be casual professional attire that fits in with community standards and does not draw attention to the student.

Additional guidelines

1. Jewelry (e.g., necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, etc.) and other fashion accessories should be appropriate and not interfere with assigned duties. Jewelry represents a potential for infection and loose jewelry can be grabbed, causing a potential physical hazard to the student, or the patient.

2. Tattoos and body art with wording or images that may be perceived as offensive should be covered during the time of professional contact with patients and families. Some examples of such offensive art, or images include racial slurs, swear words, symbols of death, or inappropriate revealing of body parts in a way that a reasonable person could perceive as inappropriate.

Hospital attire (scrubs)

1. In general, medical students should wear their own clothes (rather than scrubs) for patient care assignments in clinics and when performing inpatient services.

2. Scrubs must be worn in compliance with the policies of the institution in which the medical student is assigned for patient care rotations. They should never be worn in public places outside of the clinical care facility. Scrubs may be worn in specific patient care areas only. If scrubs must be worn outside of the designated clinical area, they should be covered with a white coat.

3. Hair covers, masks, shoe covers, and gowns should be removed before leaving the designated clinical areas and should not be worn while in the outpatient clinics, or when making rounds on the inpatient services.