Hospitals Debate the Pros, Cons of White Coats for Doctors

Should administration implement a dress code?

With the highly charged debates that revolve around what the white coat represents—involving a hierarchy, a germ-breeding safety risk, a patient's hypertension—who should make the ultimate decision whether doctors will don the white coat?

At Boston University, it's up the individual preference. But at other institutions, the administration has the final say.

Spiegel, who still prefers his sports coat and tie, says, "I see a value in a dress code. It's important. There's a certain amount of confidence that comes with the uniform; there's a certain amount of security that provides. It doesn't necessarily have to be a white coat."

Spiegel says some physicians wear bowties instead of neckties. In institutions that do choose the white coat dress, hospitals also might want to provide laundering services to reduce the risk of infections, he says.

"I think, from observation, [white coats] aren't laundered too frequently. If they were laundered regularly, it would add an expense, but it might contribute to a professional atmosphere and even reduce infection," he says.

"For now, I'll stick with whatever is clean and professional and make sure my belt and shoes match," wrote Spiegel in the article.