The Article: Westerfield, H. V., Stafford, A. B., Gabel-Speroni, K., Daniel, M. (2012).  Patients’ perceptions of patient care providers with tattoos and/or body piercings. Journal of Nursing Administration, 42(3): 160-164.

Big Idea: This study examines the computer survey results of 150 hospitalized patients, within a rural hospital, who viewed pictures of health care providers – male and female – with and without visible tattoos and body piercings anywhere other than the earlobe. The authors used a modified tool aptly titled the Tattoo and Body Piercing Patient Research Study Questionnaire.

Survey Says!: Male care providers with visible tattoos were seen as equally professional as their non-tattooed counterparts. The same was not true for female care providers with visible tattoos; they were seen as less professional as uninked female care providers. Male care providers with visible body piercings were viewed as less professional and approachable then their counterparts. Female care providers with visible body piercings were viewed even less professional and approachable than the men.

Quotable: “The presence of a tattoo has been reported to diminish image and credibility [reference]. Patients have reported viewing facial piercing among physicians as inappropriate and negatively affecting perceived competence and trustworthiness [reference]” (p. 160).

“Of the 150 patients providing survey responses, the majority was female (68%, n = 102), white (77%, n = 116), and 46 years or older (72%, n = 108). Twenty-two percent responded that they had a permanent tattoo, of which half were visible when clothed. Only 6% (n = 9) indicated body piercings other than the earlobe, of which 44% (n = 4) were visible when clothed” (p. 162).

“Study results suggest male and female patient care providers dressed in uniform with visible tattoos and/or nonearlobe body piercings are never perceived by patients to be more caring, confident, reliable, attentive, cooperative, professional, efficient, or approachable than their non-visibly tattooed or nonpierced peers” (p. 163).

So What?: I was intrigued when I saw the title of this article. I snickered when I saw it was published in JONA. Research (reeeeesearch!) about tattoos and body piercings appearing in a peer-reviewed journal about nursing leadership and management – it felt rebellious. (Is it wrong that I immediately thought of the dentist in The Hangover 2?) I digress.

Authors point out the limitations of their study including variations in tattoos, body piercing placements, gender bias, one study site, and the rural location of the study. This article does contribute to the body of knowledge and sheds light on perceptions of care providers. It may help leaders shape policies of visible tattoos and body piercings among care providers.