Doctors in a white coat-what do patients think and what do doctors do? 3739 patients, 137 general practitioners, and 150 staff members Give their answers

Abstract

Patients and general practitioners in northern Norway were asked their opinion on the doctors' use of a white coat in the consultation. 51.9% of the patients wanted their doctor not to wear a white coat, whereas 11.7% of the doctors never wore one. 5.7% of the doctors' staff members never wore a white coat. The patients' preferences were to some extent related to their own doctor's use of a white coat, and there was a significant increase in the demand for a white coat with increasing age of the patients. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.