Email this article 
SYMBOLISM OF THE WHITE COAT IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
- Authors: Kazaryan O.V.1, Mishina E.Y.1, Soboleva O.S.1, Umanskaya M.B.1
- Affiliations:
- A. N. Kosygin Russian State University, 119071 Moscow, Russia
- Issue: Vol 31 (2023): NO ()
- Pages: 725-727
- Section: Articles
- URL: https://journal-nriph.ru/journal/article/view/2056
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.32687/0869-866X-2023-31-s1-725-727
- Cite item
Abstract
It has long been a tradition for doctors to dress professionally in white coats — a universal symbol of belonging to the medical profession. This tradition dates back to the time of Hippocrates, but during the XIX—XXI centuries, the symbolism of the white coat was criticized in connection with research on the spread of infections through tissue. Currently, many doctors refuse to use the oldest symbol of the profession, and the practice of medical activity is replete with new variants of the uniform of a medical worker (both in style and in color palette. However, it should be noted that the white coat symbolizes another important part of the medical education of students, the standard of professionalism and care, as well as a symbol of the trust they must earn from patients.
About the authors
O. V. Kazaryan
A. N. Kosygin Russian State University, 119071 Moscow, Russia
E. Yu. Mishina
A. N. Kosygin Russian State University, 119071 Moscow, Russia
O. S. Soboleva
A. N. Kosygin Russian State University, 119071 Moscow, Russia
M. B. Umanskaya
A. N. Kosygin Russian State University, 119071 Moscow, Russia
References
- Hochberg M. S. The doctor's white Coat: an historical perspective // Virtual Mentor. 2007. Vol. 9, N 4. P. 310—314.
- Nash D. B. Keep the white coat // Am. J. Med. Qual. 2014. Vol. 29, N 6. P. 465—466.
- Hartmans C., Heremans S., Lagrain M. et al. The doctor's new clothes: professional or fashionable? // Primary Health Care. 2013. Vol. 3, N 3. P. 135.
- Yamada Y., Takahashi O., Ohde S. et al. Patients’ preferences for doctors’ attire in Japan // Intern Med. 2010. Vol. 49, N 15. P. 1521—1526.
- Lewis L. D. White Coat Ceremony keynote address. Speech presented at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. N.Y.; 1994.
- Enochs B. E. The Gold standard // J. Coll. Phys. Surg. Columbia Univ. 1998. Vol. 18. P. 11.
- Koh K. C., Husni S., Tan J. E. et al. High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on doctors’ neckties // Med. J. Malaysia. 2009. Vol. 64, N 3. P. 233—235.
- Hueston W. J., Carek S. M. Patients’ preference for physician attire: a survey of patients in family medicine training practices // Fam. Med. 2011. Vol. 43, N 9. P. 643—647.
- Abu Bakar S. Doctor's attire and patient safety // Med. J. Malaysia. 2009. Vol. 64, N 3. P. 185—186.
- Anvik T. Doctors in a white coat — what do patients think and what do doctors do? // Scand. J. Prim. Health Care. 1990. Vol. 8. P. 91—94.
- Shryock R. H. The development of modern medicine. N.Y.; 1947. P. 248—272.
- Blumhagen D. W. The doctor’s white coat: the image of the physician in modern America // Ann. Intern. Med. 1979. Vol. 91. P. 111—116.
