"Erm,
I work in a hospital and I consult in nursing homes.
And all the clinical folks I see at some time wear sandals.
It just may be a climate thing, honest!"
It is not a climate thing. I'm a doc in one of the hottest, most humid cities in the country. The rule is that you don't wear open toed shoes for personal safety. Those that do get sent home. You must work in some very poorly managed facilities if that is allowed. Proper attire for safety is one of the first things told to workers on the first day of employment. Anyone who gets puked on won't need to be reminded to stop wearing open toed shoes ever again.
Whatever you say ;)