Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University 151 ISSN 2231-4261 The White Coat and Medical Profession Gurudutt Joshi Department of Pediatrics, S.M.I.M.E.R. Surat-395002 (Gujarat) ,India c Abstract: White coat has been an identifying symbol for doctors; however certain other professions also use it. Additional purpose of this coat besides identification was to protect the doctor from acquired infections. Disputes arose about this attire, regarding effect of climatic conditions such as environmental temperature, humidity, personal attributions, patients and parent's opinion and also probably, as an agent which is said to be harboring various pathogenic organisms. Some studies or research work which has been carried out says that these organisms might play a role in nosocomial infections whereas, other studies refute it. Professional bodies have set up norms regarding place of wearing, hygiene and laundering about this apparel. In conclusion depending upon the conditions it can be inferred that at certain places, wearing of this apparel should be compulsory, whereas at other places it can be individualized. Various issues related to white coat are being discussed in this article. Keywords: White Coat, Apron, Medical Professional A white coat often popularly known as 'Apron' is usually a knee length coat either full sleeve or half sleeve worn by health care professionals, such as, doctors, nursing professionals, laboratory personnel, scientists, physiotherapists, optometri- sts, pharmacists, veterinary professionals and technicians . Before the middle of the 19 century only scientists who worked in laboratories used to wear laboratory coats which were beige (pale- pinkish-yellow) colored. Perhaps, the modern white coat was introduced to medicine in Canada by Dr. George Armstrong (1855-1933) [1, 2], who was a surgeon and president of the Canadian Medical Association. The white colour was chosen with good reason as the new standard of the medical profession because it represented cleanliness, purity, goodness and calmness, and a visual reminder of the physician's commitment to do no harm. Nevertheless, controversies started arising with whether, when and where to wear white coat. In June 2009, the American Medical Association (AMA) [3] voted on a resolution recommending that the iconic white garment should be banned by hospitals, citing the probable spread of disease through frequently unsterilized coats splattered with the invisible aftermath of repeated exposure to sick patients. Douse et al [4], in a study concluded that ,only 13% of doctors wore coats as they felt to be an infection risk (70%) and or they were uncomfortable (60%). Psychiatrists and Pediatricians were least likely to wear white coats because the patients they dealt with found them threatening and hence they interfered with doctor patient relationship [4] though, there was no statistical difference between doctor subgroups when age, sex and specialty was compared. Doctors who gave reasons to wear white coat stated that it prevents infection, protects clothes, for identification purpose, professional look, traditional and to hold books, whereas, those who gave reasons not to wear white coats, were, interference of doctor patient relationship, peer pressure, uncomfortable due to climatic conditions such as excessive hot and humid environment[4]. Similarly in an another study by Vijaylaxmi [5], 62% of pediatricians preferred not LETTER TO EDITOR JKIMSU, Vol. 5, No. 2, April-June 2016