New Delhi:
Next time you visit a doctor look out for those white coats.
An Indian doctor’s appeal to ban the ubiquitous medical white coats has raised a debate in the medical fraternity.
According to Edmond Fernandes, a community medicine specialist at the Yenepoya University, Mangalore, “Long-sleeved coats may spread infections and cause avoidable harm to patients. Banning white coats would prevent infections that patients pick up during their stay in hospitals.”
The report is not new in fact 5 years back in United States, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center, gave similar views.
The coats which are a symbol of "purity and goodness" have come under criticism for the lethal infections they can carry and communicate.
Some doctors add to the opinion and say that coats should be exclusive workplace attire and not be wore to canteens, office and other places.
However, others argue that these coats prevent any sort of infection for doctors while they commute to and from between workplace and home.
A report also mentioned that doctors on an average wash their coats only once a week and might have only one replacement.
In that case, the study raises ground for a debate- should white coats be banned in India? Share your feedback.
