The White Coat and the Physician: A Snapshot of the Physicians’ Perspective

Background: The white coat is synonymous with medical profession and helps for easy identification
by patients and colleagues.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine doctors’ perception on mode of dressing of
their colleagues, especially wearing of white coats and its influence on the well being of their patients.
Methods: A structured self administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the
doctors of all carder in the hospital during the study period. Three photographs, a man with corporate
attire and tie without ward coat and the same man with corporate attire and tie with a white coat and
same man with casual dressing, were shown to the doctors, and were asked which of the three
pictures they would like a doctor to dress.
Results: Majority 200 (72.5%) of the respondents had a white coat on as at the time they were filling
the questionnaire while only 76 (27.5%) were not putting on lab coat. Also 202 (75.9%) of the
respondents are of the opinion that a doctor should always put on shirt, tie and trouser with a white
covering lab coat. Most 76 (35.68%) of those who supported the opinion suggested that the white coat
protects the doctors/or their families as their reason.
Conclusion: White coats were seen as the most appropriate dress code for doctors, regardless of
gender. Low ranked doctors however wear the white coat more than high ranked ones. Furthermore
the type of clothing and accessories used by physicians (physician dressed on shirt, tie and trousers
with a white covering lab coat) has a positive influence on physician-patient relationship.