Coat?

November 6th, 2021| Topic: RaMbLeS | 2

You’d better wear a white coat. If you are a doctor, that is.

So claim researchers from Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland School of Medicine in “Public Perceptions of Physician Attire and Professionalism in the US,” published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

They wanted to figure out if there was a difference in the perception of patients between casual and formal attire donned by doctors. Some specialties, especially the surgical ones, find it more practical to wear scrubs instead of white coats. Others consider the white coat as an antiquated relic. What did patients think?

Bottom line: patients prefer physicians wearing white coats.

The 19th-century advent of antisepsis and evidence-guided medical practices1 contributed to the emergence of the physician’s white coat as a symbol of cleanliness, scientific achievement, and professional responsibility. This symbolism has persisted into the 21st century; physicians who wear white coats are viewed as more knowledgeable and competent and more likely to build rapport with patients.”

About 500 people were surveyed, all 18 and over, all US residents. They rated the professionalism, experience, and friendliness of the male and female models in various attire (in photographs).

For models shown in either business or scrub inner wear, a white coat worn as outerwear, compared with a fleece jacket or a softshell jacket, was associated with perceptions of the practitioner being significantly more experienced … and professional …. A model in a white coat was seen as more friendly than a model in a softshell jacket ….”

OK, I’ll keep wearing my white coat. (And my bowtie!)

But the best clothing for all people, regardless of occupation?

For all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:27

That old stuff from the old way of life? Needs to go, all that rotten attire.

And all our righteous deeds
are like a filthy garment;
Isaiah 64:6

And for the child of God, that has happened.

But you did not learn Christ this way,
if indeed you heard Him and were taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
that you have put off the old person—in accordance with your former lifestyle—
who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful lusts.
Ephesians 4:20–22

That’s rotten attire, all of it! When we placed our trust in Jesus Christ as our only God and Savior from sin, something dramatic happened. The old was put off, …

… and you have put on the new person
who is created in accordance with God[’s likeness]
in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24

The old has been put off, the new has been put on—positionally, we have become Christlike, reflecting his character. Positionally, not practically. So, for the rest of our lives we are daily being conformed into the likeness of Christ practically. I.e., we are becoming, practically, who we are positionally. A daily renewal—

… being renewed in the spirit of your mind.
Ephesians 4:23

After all, to conform us into the image of Christ, little by little, bit by bit, is God’s goal for his children.

… to become conformed to the image of His Son.
Romans 8:29

The best clothing! Donning—become more like—Jesus Christ daily, for he is the paradigm and ultimate standard for our holiness.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:14

Conformed to his image, pixel by pixel!

Said Jesus:

“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments.”
Revelation 3:5

Better than a white coat!

SOURCES:
JAMA