Hospital shoes and their owners: expressed team identity among healthcare staff by signs of their footwear

Abstract

Fashion is a way to express identity and a ffi liations with speci fi c social networks, and sociocultural organisations of health care facilities are no exception. Employees in hospitals must adhere to strictly regulated dress code policies, albeit shoes are one of few markers that are not regulated. The aim of this study was to analyse the expressed team identity among healthcare sta ff by studying signs of personality traits they share with colleagues, as found in their choice of footwear. A total of 213 images of hospital footwear, posted on Instagram, were analysed utilising thematic content analysis. The results show that choice of footwear signals seven di ff erent personality traits: the anonymous, an understated conformist; the discreet standout, a subtle individualist; the doer on the move, an active and ready contributor; the naturist, a barefoot enthusiast; the superior tourist, a temporarily elite visitor; the outsider, an unconventional maverick; and the legend, a battle-scarred veteran.