WHAT SHOULD DOCTORS WEAR IN THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT - PATIENTS PERCEPTION

In many accident and emergency (A&E) departments doctors still wear wh ite coats or their ordinary clothes, rather than a type of uniform, wh ich, 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 Janu ary 1993. Each week a different style of dress was worn: week 1 - whit e coats, week 2 - normal clothing and week 3 - theatre greens. The maj ority of patients thought that style of dress was important but did no t alter their attitude towards the A&E medical staff. Therefore, there is no reason why doctors should not wear a more appropriate uniform t hat can be changed easily when contaminated.