How Will Wearing A White Lab Coat Affect How Nurses Are Respected?
Nothing is more intimidating for a patient than an unknown medical professional walking into a room. A nurse or doctor in a white coat that is going to talk to them about matters that may seriously affect their life can be really nerve-racking.
But is it specifically the lab coat that makes the difference? It may seem hard to believe, but studies have shown that your white lab coat really does make a big difference in how you are perceived as a medical professional – sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. Definitely take into account that donning a lab coat will mean different things to various patients, so figuring out their perceptions can provide insight into their potential reactions to the white lab coat.
One of the first things patients will think about when they see the lab coat is the power that nurses and doctors have over the patient. The white coat connotes an authoritarian relationship over the patient. Even hospital employees that may not even be medical professionals, such as front desk clerks, medical researchers, and other medical office workers – can give out medical advice just because they look like authoritative figures. While this may make for a quick and easy appointment, it may not necessarily be the best course of action for the patient. Make sure that you ask several questions if you think that the patient is deferring to everything that you say, such as:
• Would you like to hear about the alternatives?
• How do you feel about the treatments I’ve suggested?
• Do you have any more questions?
When the patient understands their options and has the ability to talk with you about how they feel, they will begin to act as if they are part of a relationship, rather than simply a one sided situation.
A patient or their family members may have had bad experiences with medical professionals or nurses in the past. The white coat may be seen as displaying an attitude that implies that ‘I’m better than you’ which may cause them to feel disdain for the professional wearing it. If you think that the patient has this attitude, try entering the office just in hospital scrubs, and without your white coat. This shows that you are not using the coat solely as a status symbol.
Just like a uniform for any other career, the lab coat can affect the perception that a patient has of you. This may not necessarily be a bad thing. Some patients find it reassuring when they see a white lab coat. They associate the coat with someone that is more educated in medical matters than they are. It may make them trust you more. It may even increase the expectation that you will have ALL the answers that they need – and even you won’t know everything there is to know about their condition.
You will find that older patients are more likely to prefer nurses and doctors that wear the white lab coat, while younger patients would rather see you in scrubs or other more casual clothes. At the end of the day, the choice is up to you (as long as you stay within your hospital’s uniform requirements). Whatever allows your patients form personal connections with you will be the best choice to improve their health as well as your ability to serve them better.
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