Over the last three years I have had plenty of opportunity to encounter people who are wearing medical uniforms lab coats, and other hospital gear. First my diagnosis with Graves disease that led to twice monthly trips to the hospital lab for blood work, then my Mother's stay in the emergency ward before her doctor allowed for her to come home, and then Matthew's heart troubles of the summer. And from these observations I can tell you that what they say about white coat syndrome is true, people in lab gear, and hospital scrubs can be very intimidating.

Perhaps it makes more sense for the wearer to be kitted out in the more plain looking discount scrub sets that is most commonly worn in the hospital. However, when I would see a staffer who at least tried to personalise their look a little they somehow appeared more human if that makes any sense, and in turn the patient does feel more comfortable.

I think it would be great from the patient perspective to see more staffers in high fashion scrubs, or at least something a little more personal than the plainer uniforms.

Many years ago as a teen I had to have general surgery. Naturally I was very scared. However, when the anesthesiologist entered the room I was in wearing a Donald Duck cap I actually giggled a bit, and it broke the tension I was feeling (despite the meds) before having a rather scary procedure done. I never forgot that, and in turn have always thought how cool it would be for both staffers and patients if they were a little more creative in their uniforms.