This study aims to investigate how the physical placement of hand sanitizer in consultation rooms affects patient trust and feelings of disease stigma. While hand hygiene is an essential infection control measure in healthcare, performing it immediately in front of patients with visible, non-communicable conditions (such as psoriasis) might inadvertently make patients feel rejected or stigmatized.This study uses a randomized controlled design to evaluate if a simple environmental modification-changing the spatial location of the hand sanitizer-can naturally nudge physicians to alter their hand hygiene timing without compromising safety. Researchers will discreetly observe the hand hygiene behavior of outpatient dermatologists and ask participating psoriasis patients to complete a brief, anonymous questionnaire regarding their trust in the physician, feelings of stigma, and overall satisfaction with the consultation. The goal is to provide evidence for patient-centered hospital space designs that protect patient psychological well-being while maintaining hygiene standards.
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Proportion of Invisible Hand Hygiene Events
Timeframe: Assessed during the outpatient consultation (average 10-15 minutes per consultation).
Patient Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) Score
Timeframe: Assessed immediately after the outpatient consultation.
Feelings of Stigma Questionnaire (FSQ) Score
Timeframe: Assessed immediately after the outpatient consultation.