There is no requirement that students at the University of Iowa College of Medicine adhere to a strict dress code, but students are expected to dress appropriately and to comport themselves in a manner consistent with the location and nature of their educational activities. Medical students are expected to identify themselves as students at all times and must assume responsibility to clarify their role to patients. Name badges that identify the individual as a medical student facilitate appropriate recognition. A physician's appearance serves as a powerful, nonverbal symbol that affects communication between doctor and patient. Patients react negatively to jeans, athletic shoes and socks, scrub suits, clogs, prominent ruffles, dangling earrings, and excessive aftershave lotion or perfume.
Patients express preference for well-trimmed hairstyles.