What should doctors wear in the accident and emergency department? Patients' perception.
In many accident and emergency (A&E) departments doctors still wear white coats or their ordinary clothes, rather than a type of uniform, which, should it become contaminated, can be changed easily for a clean uniform. Before a change of clothing to a uniform could be considered in an inner-city A&E department, a study was carried out to assess the public's perception towards different styles of dress. Three hundred and twenty-nine questionnaires were returned by minor injury patients requiring a radiograph. The study was carried out over 3 weeks in January 1993. Each week a different style of dress was worn: week 1--white coats, week 2--normal clothing and week 3--theatre greens. The majority of patients thought that style of dress was important but did not alter their attitude towards the A&E medical staff. Therefore, there is no reason why doctors should not wear a more appropriate uniform that can be changed easily when contaminated.
Boon
D
D
Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Wardrope
J
J
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010465:Perception; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom