Student Standards for Professional Dress

Rationale

Learners have freedom of choice in how they dress. However, when learners are functioning as medical professionals, with either clinical patients or simulated patients, or in the classroom in nonclinical settings, dress must be appropriate and professional. A professional image increases credibility and safety while fostering patient trust, respect, and confidence. Specific questions regarding these guidelines should first be addressed with the appropriate clerkship coordinator or course director. This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to support the success of all medical learners and maintain a professional environment in both clinical and classroom settings. The Brody School of Medicine (BSOM) requires all learners to adhere to a specific standard of professional dress.

Scope

The BSOM Learner Standards of Professional Dress serve as the dress code for medical learners during normal business hours at the Brody School of Medicine. They also apply to after-hours clinical work at ECU Health Medical Center.

Definitions

Professional Attire

Professional attire refers to appropriate business attire, as described by the following, including, but not limited to:

• slacks (no cargo pants or jeans)
• dress shirts/blouses
• skirts or dresses with a hemline no higher than three inches above the knee
• no plunging necklines
• no midriff exposure
• jewelry that does not interfere with patient care
• dress shoes (closed toe and non-porous when participating in patient care)

Casual Attire in the Classroom Setting

In addition to professional attire, the following items are also acceptable in the classroom setting:

• Clean and tidy denim pants (jeans) and skirts
• Capri pants or shorts (see short guidelines)
• Athletic shoes that are clean and in good repair

Personal Hygiene

Refers to cleanliness, including, but not limited to:

• Bathing/showering
• Shaving
• Combing of hair
• Trimming/cleaning of fingernails

Responsibilities

All Medical Learners

Learners must wear appropriate clothing to learning events. Some clinical locations provide guidelines or have adopted other dress codes. In all cases, learners should adhere to the following guidelines for professional dress:

• Clothing should be neat, clean, properly fitted, and not excessively worn
• Learners should maintain good personal hygiene
• Nails should be kept neat and trimmed per OSHA standards
• Hair color must be professional
• If facial hair is worn, it should be groomed
• Learners are expected to wear appropriate undergarments
• Shirts should not have plunging necklines
• Any clothing item with offensive text or photos (such as profanity, depictions of drug usage, violence) is strictly prohibited

M1/M2 Learners

• Learners should follow the above guidelines for normal business hours
• All shorts must have an appropriate inseam
• The M3/M4 dress code is in effect when learners are in a clinical setting or with standardized patients (including small group interviews)

M3/M4 Learners

• Learners follow universal standards and M3/M4 dress code during clinical activities
• Name tags must be visible
• Yoga pants, shorts, and/or denim pants are not permitted
• Skirts or dresses must be at an appropriate length and cut for stooping or bending, as may be required during some patient care. If, when seated, the hem comes to 3 inches above the knee, opaque tights or leggings should be worn
• Clothing must be clean and pressed
• Ties are clerkship-dependent, but the use of bowties for decreased infection and safety risks can be considered
• T-shirts worn under collared shirts must not have visible logos
• Jewelry should be minimal, in good taste, and not interfere with clinical duties
• Scrub policies are specific to each patient care area
• White coats must be cleaned and pressed regularly
• All shoes must be closed-toed
• No hats are allowed
• The ECU Health Physicians Dress Code for Faculty and Staff Providing Direct Patient Care is in effect

Course/Clerkship Directors

Responsible for notifying the learner if they violate the standards of professional dress. Repeated violations should be reported to the Office of Student Affairs by the Course Director. Notification to the Office of Student Affairs must be in writing; email is acceptable.

Associate Deans for Student Affairs, Foundational and Clinical Sciences

Responsible for meeting with learners who have repeated (more than one) violation of the standards of professional dress. Barriers to professional dress will be discussed. If further violations occur, the Associate Deans for Student Affairs will discuss the issue with the year-appropriate Review and Promotion Committee.

Procedures for Implementation and Review

This procedure is to be reviewed by the M1-M4 Curriculum Committees before approval by the Executive Curriculum Committee every three years.
This procedure will be disseminated by the Office of Student Affairs to students and teaching faculty/administration.

Related Policies

N/A

Applicable Laws, Regulations & Standards

LCME Standard 3, Element 5.