A first-of-its-kind study suggests patients have difficulty understanding and building trust with surgeons when they cannot see their faces due to masks. When surgeons wore clear masks, patients rated them significantly higher in how well they explai

A study led by Dr. Muneera Kapadia at UNC School of Medicine found that wearing traditional masks during surgeon-patient interactions negatively impacts communication, empathy, and trust because patients cannot see the surgeon’s full face. Using clear masks improved patients' understanding and perception of their surgeons significantly. The findings highlight the importance of facial cues in building trust and suggest that clearer masks or increased efforts in communication may enhance patient relationships despite masking protocols. This study emphasizes the need for awareness about how masks affect surgeon-patient connections.