How clear plastic masks are better than surgical ones

Study shows patients prefer to see their doctor’s face, but surgeons aren't so keen
Normal mask vs clear mask. Photo: UNC School of Medicine.

Patients prefer to see their doctor’s face, suggests a study showing surgeons are considered more trustworthy and empathetic when wearing a clear plastic mask compared to a standard surgical one.

In the US study patients rated their surgeons significantly higher in providing understandable explanations, demonstrating empathy and eliciting trust if they donned a see-through mask.