• Ola Løkken Nordrum, Peter Aylward, and Michael Callaghan.
• University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. ola.nordrum@ucdconnect.ie.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Dec 1; 191 (6): 244524472445-2447.

BackgroundThe debate on current doctors' attire in Irish hospital resurfaced alongside COVID-19, as a shift in doctors' attire from professional attire to scrubs was observed.AimThe current study aimed to explore whether COVID-19 has changed the way in which hospital doctors perceive their personal attire, and whether this group wish for changes implemented during COVID-19 to become permanent.MethodsHospital doctors (n = 151), across all specialties and seniority at University Hospital Galway (UHG), filled out a ten-point online questionnaire exploring their experience of and attitudes towards hospital attire during COVID-19. Data collected and analysed in August-September 2020.ResultsSeventy-six percent (119) changed their attire during COVID-19 to scrubs (54% to hospital provided; 22% to private). Thirty-eight percent (56) reported feeling uncomfortable with bringing clothing home, highlighting the infection control risk. Seventy-four per cent (110) wanted the change to scrubs as standard attire to become permanent (65% to hospital provided; 9% to private). Thirty-two percent (47) noted a change in patients' perception when wearing scrubs.ConclusionHospital doctors changed their attire during COVID-19, and 75% would like these changes to become permanent. Most (67%) did not notice a change in their patient's perception of them, raising questions about the longstanding beliefs surrounding 'professional attire'. A large number of doctors are also worried about bringing clothing home. The humble hospital scrubs have shown their worth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Why not continue to wear them?© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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