A Christmas “Sock Market” Analysis

Aim

To identify whether seniority of surgeons, in head and neck surgery, is an indicator for sock choice in the operating theatre environment. We discuss our results in line with the literature on patient perceptions of clinicians’ workwear and standard infection control policy.

Materials and methods

Surgeons sock choices were examined at the start of December 2023 and November 2024, in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Details were recorded of grade of surgeon, sub-specialty and the specifics of the socks worn in the theatre environment.

Results

Senior surgeons seemed to wear more colourful socks, while junior members of the surgical team wore plain socks. Several senior surgeons wore Christmas-themed socks or those that showed an element of humour.

Conclusions

More senior surgeons sampled seemed to wear more whimsical socks. The reasons for this are unclear but it may reflect more junior team members wishing not to draw attention to themselves by colleagues and not to come across flippant in their roles. While uniform policy is likely to vary across workplaces and guidance about socks may or may not be commented upon, NHS England's Guidance for NHS employers on uniforms and workwear outlines that uniforms must be professional in appearance.