White coats are history

Beyond the President’s speech, the real news from the AMA conference in Chicago is the vote to do away with white coats for doctors. Apparently those long sleeves hide MRSA and other germs, but it isn’t clear if they are transmitted to patients that way. But to be on the safe side, Britain banned white coats two years ago as well as ties, long sleeves and jewelry. Originally adopted to avoid infection, the length of his/her white coat can indicate a doctor’s status in hospitals according to the Boston Globe; a lot of symbolism and organizational politics go into choices about white coats. Who knew?
Ellen Andrews