[Christmas article: Footwear fashion amongst medical doctors - are clogs fashion or history?]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2021 Dec 13;183(50):V20214.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The medical costume has long been subject to interest and debate. In particular, the scene in footwear fashion amongst medical doctors (MDs) has transformed in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate footwear trends in a specialized hospital setting. We hypothesized, that the footwear differs between 1) medical specialities, 2) senior and junior MDs, and 3) male and female MDs. METHODS In this crosssectional study, we observed the footwear fashion at morning conferences for seven medical specialities at Aarhus University Hospital. Data on sex, seniority, footwear type, presence of socks, and abrasion of footwear were noted for individual MDs. RESULTS In total, data on 153 MDs was registered. 48% wore clogs, 42% sneakers, and 9% sandals. There was a significant difference between the investigated specialities (p = 0.02) with rheumatologists and anaesthesiologists being the least in favour of clogs (15% and 19%) as opposed to radiologists, surgeons and gynaecologists (63%, 58% and 56%). Further, senior MDs preferred clogs more than junior MDs (p = 0.004), and seniority was associated with having worn-out shoes (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.2 16.9). Finally, the footwear differed between male and female MDs (p = 0.005), however, this difference seemed primarily driven by the female preference for sandals. CONCLUSION The fashion in footwear is changing amongst MDs. The traditional clog is less preferred by the younger generation and in certain specialities. FUNDING none. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04740281).

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physicians*
  • Shoes
  • Soft Tissue Injuries*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04740281