Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
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Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
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White coat hypertension is a phenomenon in which patients exhibit elevated blood pressure in a clinical setting. It is believed to be due to the anxiety some people experience during a clinical
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Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 9/9/2012 9:42 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 270
First: 2/8/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
White coat hypertension is a phenomenon in which patients exhibit elevated blood pressure in a clinical setting. It is believed to be due to the anxiety some people experience during a clinical visit Still white coat hypertension is mentioned in every text book of medicine under the differential diagnosis, but where is the white coat ? 
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 10/9/2012 9:43 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1271
First: 13/4/2010 Last: 23/5/2013 |
There is clear evidence that blood pressure rises as a result on anxiety and that a lot of people get anxious when they visit their GP, hospital specialist, dentist, bank manager, or whoever. The "white coat" per se has really nothing to do with it. It's also clear that such individuals run a higher cardio-vascular risk as a consequence of their stress-induced hypertension and need to be taken more seriously. That doesn't mean rushing straight to drug therapy but it does mean greater emphasis on healthy lifestyle and relaxation techniques or even a bit of CBT. |
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 10/9/2012 1:17 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 11
First: 30/7/2012 Last: 7/1/2013 |
One of my GP partners used to wear a white coat, he looked like an ice cream vendor! Seriously, this would be a bad idea, how long would it take for the coat to be inhabited with MRSA and other nasty bugs?
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 10/9/2012 8:51 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 14
First: 3/6/2012 Last: 13/9/2012 |
In Response to Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?: One of my GP partners used to wear a white coat, he looked like an ice cream vendor! Seriously, this would be a bad idea, how long would it take for the coat to be inhabited with MRSA and other nasty bugs? Posted by drhmoss  How long does it take for your suit, if any (!?) to be inhabited with MRSA and other nasty bugs   With your stones on your head
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 10/9/2012 11:00 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2060
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 24/5/2013 |
May I wrench this thread away from boring white coats, do they infect or cause raised BP, to the 'uniform' aspect? Many surveys have shown that while patients like to see their doctor in the uniform of a white coat, it is the doctor's manner that gives confidence in them. So can we give our patients that boost of a recognisable uniform without returning to the boring white coat? I've just came back from being an Olympic Games Maker. Much has been written about the Games, how they have lifted the Nation, restored the Old Wartime Spirit and put the Great back in Britain! A part of that was the esprit de corps of the Games Maker volunteers, and their uniform had part to play. In the London street GMs would smille and nod to each other, strangers otherwise. In buses and trains, you would start a conversation, who, where, what, when, were you on the Park? So different from the usual group of commuters, dour and silent. The uniform enabled that, but also drove it. We recognised each other, as an Elite, but an elite in the service of the people. Do you recognise that as a description of medicine? So, is there a place for a 'Medical Uniform'? Perhaps based on theatre blues or greens, but smarter, with epaulettes. The GM uniform had those so that brassards could be worn, indicating rank or role. No need for dangly ID badges, surely an infection risk just like a tie! Short sleeves, of course. Easy wash material - I washed a GM shirt every day as we were only given two. That chic, mini-Mao collar! That shoulder bag, just right for the bleep, mobile, a small textbook, and spare pens, your stethoscope, sandwiches even! Perhaps not the hat, though. Ms.McCartney? Stella, you have a few minutes? Can I have mine in rosé? John |
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 11/9/2012 10:12 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 6
First: 20/11/2010 Last: 22/4/2013 |
n Response to Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?: One of my GP partners used to wear a white coat, he looked like an ice cream vendor! Seriously, this would be a bad idea, how long would it take for the coat to be inhabited with MRSA and other nasty bugs? Posted by drhmoss I dont thing that the white coat makes hypertention but I think the number of adoctors affect mor on the patient s tention ,although the white color is reflecting the clean and honest mirror of the doctor ,but if the doctor is dirty and his white coat is dirty as well that is somthing else. |
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 13/9/2012 7:25 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 50
First: 5/3/2010 Last: 23/1/2013 |
as an elderly surgeon i now have labile hypertension for my sins. i do not think i am anxious when i see my gp. i feel quite relaxed . but he always finds my bp well up. wheras when i have taken it at home an hour or so before it is quite normal. so the "white coat syndrome" exists. about white coats there were a few articles in some of the surgical journals a few years back. it was found that the tie carried the most organisms. an anachronistic bit of clothing. so haven't worn a tie for years.
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Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?
posted at 13/9/2012 3:56 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 14
First: 3/6/2012 Last: 13/9/2012 |
In Response to Re: Shall Doctors Return to the uniform?: One of my GP partners used to wear a white coat, he looked like an ice cream vendor! Seriously, this would be a bad idea, how long would it take for the coat to be inhabited with MRSA and other nasty bugs? Posted by drhmoss Hi, there, 1. How long would it take for your suit/shirt (if any) to be inhabited with MRSA and other nasty bugs? 2. Do the A&E staff look as ice cream vendors? |
