title: Should doctors wear white coats?
abstract: The wearing of white coats by hospital doctors is becoming a rarity, making it difficult for patients to identify doctors from other hospital staff. I asked patients with cancer whether they thought that doctors, both junior and senior, should wear white coats. Only a minority disapproved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW. harnettpr@westgate.wh.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Harnett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians; D013561:Symbolism