Mental health professionals' attire

Objective: Our aim was to obtain mental health patients' views on psychiatr ists' and case managers' attire. Methods: Eighty-six patients treated at a community mental health service w ere surveyed. Various types of commonly worn attire were listed. Respondent s were asked to choose what they thought was most appropriate for their psy chiatrist and case manager to wear. Results: Over 50% of respondents felt that psychiatrist or case manager dre ss was not an important issue. However, those who felt that it was preferre d less formal attire. Conclusions: Psychiatrists and case managers in a community mental health t eam could consider adopting less formal attire. This conclusion is limited by the small sample and may be relevant to rural areas only. Further resear ch is needed in urban centres. Implications of these findings are discussed .