White Coat Syndrome in Children and Nursing Approach

Abstract

The effect of clothing on people varies. Although colored coats have begun to be used in pediatric health service units where patients apply to the hospital, it is a matter of curiosity how the fact that healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and student nurses, still wearing white coats affects the pediatric patient. Although the white coat gives meaning to professionalism, respectability, and cleanliness in the service areas, the white coat can harm children and can even cause a physical increase in blood pressure psychologically; some children may develop a prejudiced attitude and fear toward any healthcare worker wearing a white coat. Due to fear and prejudices, it is inevitable for the sick child to have negative feelings toward treatment environments where their illness will be cured and regain their health and toward every healthcare worker who wears white, and even develop behaviors such as refusing treatment, behaving aggressively toward the healthcare worker and their family, and not adapting to the hospital, just because of this negative perception. Pediatric nurses, who have a key role among healthcare professionals regarding the sick child and their family, can support the management of white coat syndrome (WCS) with a therapeutic communication approach and the adaptation of a sense of humor to the profession and educational practices. This review was written to share information about WCS in pediatric patients, the pathological conditions caused by the white coat, the communication that should be established with children, and the approach to children.