University of Mississippi Medical Center
School of Medicine
Professional Appearance Guidelines
General appearance and standards of dress are important issues in the medical profession. Medical students are considered to be part of the medical profession even if not in the clinical setting. As members of the medical community we are expected to adhere to certain standards. Society has accorded physicians special privileges and status and expects us, as part of a larger ‘‘social contract,’’ to conduct ourselves in accordance with standards that we ourselves regulate but that are driven by the interests of those we serve. For instance, patients prefer and have come to expect physicians to wear a white coat with a name tag and to dress conservatively; this mode of dress conveys respect and gives formality to patient-physician interactions. As future doctors our appearance affords professional identity, privilege and status. [From the article “free to be you & me”]
First and Second Year
- Dress in routine class in the first two years is informal.
- Intact jeans-No holes, tears or cut-offs,
- Polo shirts, collared shirts, solid color and plain T- shirts in good condition without lettering or pictures are acceptable,
- Cargo pants, Capri pants & shorts are all acceptable for routine classes,
- In small groups with patients present, guest lecturers and clinical correlations students should wear a clean, short white coat with a name tag identifying that they are medical students & causal business attire (for men slacks/long pants & long sleeve button up shirts or neat polo shirts, for women skirts/ slacks & sweater/blouse),
- Clean intact sneakers are acceptable,
- No flip flops/thongs or soiled sneakers in poor repair.
- In the future the short white coat which is issued to each student at the start of the first year will come with an arm patch. The patch designates the student’s class and is expected to be worn on the left upper arm of the short coat.
First Year – Anatomy Laboratory
- Matching scrub top and bottom are to be worn in the Anatomy Lab. Any color is acceptable.
- Scrubs should only be worn in designated areas or when the situation warrants their use.
- Hat/caps, shorts, cargo pants and Capri pants are NOT acceptable in the laboratory.
- Note that some Lab or clinical settings have more specific dress requirements.
Third and Fourth Year
- Hair should be neat.
- No facial piercing.
- A minimum of jewelry, such as wedding rings or class rings, is acceptable.
- Button-down shirts & ties for men unless instructed or approved to wear scrubs by your attending.
- No jeans, cargo pants, Capri pants or cut-offs.
- Shoes should be neat and clean, and always with closed toes.
- Do not wear sandals, flip flops/thongs.
- Clean sneakers when wearing scrubs are acceptable.
- Clogs are acceptable.
- Refrain from excessive use of fragrant hairspray, perfume and cologne.
- Women should wear professional blouses or sweaters.
- Low cut or clinging shirts, sweaters or blouses are inappropriate.
- Skirts should be an appropriate length.
- Clothing that is too tight should be avoided.
- Fingernails should be of a modest length and should not interfere with your patient’s care.
- Minimize excessively bright, dark or creatively-colorful nail polish.
These recommendations for dress are expected to be adhered to any time the students are in the hospital/clinical setting or any time they interact with patients. Students are free to dress neatly & informally in the library or when on campus to study in the classroom building.
Spring 2007 Medical Student Council
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