The doctor needs scrub-bing up: Medical professionals urged to 'dress accordingly' so not to lose patients' respect
Doctors have become so casual about their work attire that patients struggle to identify their position at a hospital
Unless they return to a more traditional uniform, they risk ‘eroding’ the patients’ trust in their competence, a senior consultant has warned.
Medical staff in white coats and ties have become a rare sight since they were banned by the NHS in 2007, restricting the wearing of the classic attire to private practices.
Following a decision by the Department of Health, doctors were ordered to remove ties, watches, coats and shirts and remain ‘bare below the elbow’ in order to make it easier to wash their hands and prevent spreading bacteria.
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‘Untidiness erodes the image of doctors as responsible and competent.’ ‘[Smartness] gives confidence to patients who might be facing life or death decisions.’
Dr Dancer writes that the 2007 ban has been seen as a ‘green light’ for doctors to dress casual and adds that there is no evidence that wearing a white coat helps spread infection.
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However the Department of Health stands firm in their ban of white coats.
‘NHS staff should wear short-sleeved tops and not wear white coats during patient activity – being “bare below the elbow” makes it easier for staff to wash their hands and lower arms regularly,’ a spokesperson told The Times.
‘However, NHS staff should also dress in a way which inspires public and patient confidence.
Dr Dancer argues the opposite, saying that casual attire may have the opposite effect as ‘street clothes’ may not be washed regularly enough, compared to a white hospital coat.
‘It could be argued that ditching the white coat and tie for hygiene purposes has had the converse effect, in that the informal attire now gracing our wards has encouraged a less robust view of infection control.’
