The White Coat and the Physician: A Snapshot of the Physicians’ Perspective | Chapter 10 | Innovations in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 1
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.
Author(s) Details
Herbert A. Obu
Department of Pediatrics,
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital (UNTH), Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Josephat M. Chinawa
Department of Pediatrics,
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital (UNTH), Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Pius C. Manyike
Department of Pediatrics,
College of Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Ikechukwu E. Obi
Department of Community
Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Ikenna K. Ndu
Department of Pediatrics,
College of Medicine, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria.
P. O. Nkwo
Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital,
Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Awoere Tamunosiki Chinawa
Department of Community
Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
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