Talk to us
The long-sleeve, knee-length white coat has long symbolized professionalism and expertise, but should it become a thing of the past?
 |
For now, the American Medical Association has shelved a proposal that doctors should get rid of their white coats. The measure would urge hospitals to adopt dress codes of “bare below the elbows,” to avoid transmission of bacteria to patients via coat sleeves. While studies have shown that bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile can exist on sleeves, there is no proof that bacteria pass from doctors’ sleeves to patients. But backers of the proposal argue that as long as there’s the slightest chance of transmission, everything possible should be done to avoid it.
Other health systems already are on board. The British National Health System has banned ties, long sleeves, jewelry, and white coats. The National Health Service for Scotland has said that short sleeves and empty breast pockets are in and that white coats or scrubs outside of the medical environment are out.
What do you think about the proposal? Are there other factors or reasons to consider in keeping or getting rid of the white coat? Email your thoughts to medicine.magazine@emory.edu. We’ll share your responses in the next issue of Emory Medicine.
