Why Don't Psychiatrists Wear White Coats Unlike Other Doctors?

Psychiatrist, more so than other doctors, need to build rapport with their patients so they can openly talk about difficult subjects like depression, suicide, abuse, fears etc. There are patients out there who get nervous when dealing with "authority" figures. White coat syndrome is a good example, where patients have higher blood pressures when measured by the doctor at the office, but lower blood pressures everywhere else.



Psychiatrists also tend to need less tools. Neurologist need to carry hammers, tuning forks etc., Infectious Disease doctors have those handbooks of antibiotics & coverage, pediatricians have calculators because their drugs are weight based, cardiologist have fancy stethoscopes (some electronic!) etc etc....White coat is a great place to carry your medical tools.

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