D Ashley R Watson1. 1. Canberra Clinical School, The Canberra Hospital, Australian Capital Territory, Woden, Australia. ashley.watson@act.gov.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes of Australian junior doctors towards white coats. METHODS: We carried out a multicentred mail survey in 13 Australian teaching hospitals. A total of 337 junior medical officers (JMOs) completed an eight-item questionnaire. The survey sought to establish JMOs' views and preferences regarding the wearing of white coats and the reasons behind them. RESULTS: Very few Australian JMOs wear white coats. Many reasons for not wearing white coats were given, the most common being 'No one else wears a white coat' (70%). A total of 60% of JMOs are against wearing white coats; 24% are indifferent on the issue and only 16% expressed a general preference for white coats. Junior medical officers who did prefer white coats indicated reasons of convenience for carrying items, identification and/or professionalism, and hygiene and/or cleanliness. CONCLUSIONS: White coats have largely disappeared from Australian teaching hospitals and the majority of junior doctors in Australia oppose the wearing of white coats.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes of Australian junior doctors towards white coats. METHODS: We carried out a multicentred mail survey in 13 Australian teaching hospitals. A total of 337 junior medical officers (JMOs) completed an eight-item questionnaire. The survey sought to establish JMOs' views and preferences regarding the wearing of white coats and the reasons behind them. RESULTS: Very few Australian JMOs wear white coats. Many reasons for not wearing white coats were given, the most common being 'No one else wears a white coat' (70%). A total of 60% of JMOs are against wearing white coats; 24% are indifferent on the issue and only 16% expressed a general preference for white coats. Junior medical officers who did prefer white coats indicated reasons of convenience for carrying items, identification and/or professionalism, and hygiene and/or cleanliness. CONCLUSIONS: White coats have largely disappeared from Australian teaching hospitals and the majority of junior doctors in Australia oppose the wearing of white coats.