Portable Knowledge: A Look Inside White Coat Pockets
Authors: Lorna A. Lynn
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Medical Writings2 February 1999Portable Knowledge: A Look Inside White Coat PocketsLorna A. Lynn, MD and Lisa M. Bellini, MDLorna A. Lynn, MDUniversity of Pennsylvania Medical Center; Philadelphia, PA 19104Search for more papers by this author and Lisa M. Bellini, MDUniversity of Pennsylvania Medical Center; Philadelphia, PA 19104Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-130-3-199902020-00039 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail A 1990 European study showed that 72% of hospital physicians and students wore white coats. The top three reasons, in descending order, were to allow easy recognition by colleagues and patients, to carry items in pockets, and to keep clothes clean (1). White coats clearly identify medical staff, and differences in the styles of coats often distinguish among levels of training. Many medical schools have white coat ceremonies as part of orientation for first-year students, providing these novices with the symbolic costume of the physician. Of note, the ample size of the pockets has made the carrying of the traditional ...References1. Farraj R, Baron JH. Why do hospital doctors wear white coats? J R Soc Med. 1991;84:43. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Gilbert D, Moellering R, Sande M, eds. Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. Hyde Park, VT: Antimicrobial Therapy; 1998. Google Scholar3. Green S, ed. Pocket Pharmacopoeia. Loma Linda, CA: Tarascon; 1998. Google Scholar4. Rollings RC. Facts and Formulas. Savannah, GA: Facts and Formulas; 1998. Google Scholar5. Carey CF, Lee HH, Woeltje KF, eds. The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1998. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Lorna A. Lynn, MD; Lisa M. Bellini, MDAffiliations: University of Pennsylvania Medical Center; Philadelphia, PA 19104Corresponding Author: Lorna A. Lynn, MD, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.Current Author Addresses: Dr. Lynn: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.Dr. Bellini: Department of Medicine, 100 Centrex, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoWhite Coat Pockets Martin W. Oster Metrics Cited byBridging the gap between pharmacy student and professional with a student developed pocket referenceDress for SuccessImpact of the Presence of Medical Equipment in Images on Viewers’ Perceptions of the Trustworthiness of an Individual On-ScreenA Symbol of Our Profession: White Coat Ceremony Address to the Class of 2014Physicians, Their Appearance, and the White CoatFactors affecting the professional image of physiciansAnnals Faces the Future: Quicker Service, Broader Access, Tailored FormatsThe EditorsPersonal Digital Assistant Infectious Diseases Applications for Health Care ProfessionalsKnowledge Resources: Finding Answers to Primary Care QuestionsShould doctors wear white coats? The patient's perspectiveWhite Coat PocketsMartin W. Oster, MD 2 February 1999Volume 130, Issue 3Page: 247-250KeywordsAnalgesicsAntimicrobialsComputer softwareComputersDrug informationDrug interactionsDrug therapyDrugsPatent ductus arteriosusPregnancy ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 2 February 1999 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...