The Great White Coat Debate: Yea or Nay for Find-A-Doc Videos?

Should doctors wear white coats in find-a-doc videos? That’s one of the first things we’re asked when we embark on a video bio project with a new healthcare client. You’d be surprised at the debate that ensues. People have strong opinions about this topic.

I have an opinion on this, too, but I’ll hold that until the end because there really isn’t a right or wrong answer. Both sides of this great white coat debate have good arguments. Let’s hash it out.

Pros of wearing a white coat in find-a-doc videos

Credibility

When you see the white coat, you immediately know the person inside is likely a healthcare provider or scientist. It’s a sign of status, trust, and authority in the clinic or hospital halls. They earned that coat, and the respect that goes with it. Just like initials behind their name, many believe the white coat is an important part of the overall look.

Uniformity

Everyone dressed basically the same can help viewers focus on the message rather than, say, the pattern of a blouse. For the same reason a sports team looks sharp, having your team “in uniform” can create a crisp, organized look.

Clean Look

White says clean, sterile and germ-free. That’s one of the reasons white lab coats became the official doctor dress code, back at the turn of the 20^th century. Before that, doctors wore black! Who knew? Now you do. If you want to learn even more, check out this article about the history of the white coat.

Cons of wearing a white coat in find-a-doc videos

White Coat Syndrome

You’ve heard about how a patient’s blood pressure can go up just seeing a white coat walk in the door. They can make people nervous. It’s a natural reaction, especially if you’ve had some tough medical experiences. Let’s face it, most of the time when you’re seeing a doctor it’s because you’ve got something going on that’s not fun. So, if a main purpose of a video bio is to create an emotional connection with a provider, the white coat can be a barrier. Bio videos are meant to make providers approachable.

Uniformity

Yeah, know I said that was a pro. It can also be a con. Sometimes when I see a whole group of providers, all wearing white coats – such as on a hospital’s youtube page – to me, it looks like a cult. It’s hard for my eye to see past all of the white, especially when that’s mostly what shows in the head-and-shoulder shots. Maybe that’s just me?

Camera Contrast

Our video cameras these days are pretty high-tech, but they still have trouble when trying to expose to someone’s face, and a frame full of white, at the same time.   This is especially true for darker skin. Those with very light, pale skin often look washed out against white. Basically, your provider’s coat is going to look good, or their face is going to look good – take your pick. It’s not quite that black and white, but a heavy contrast is definitely a videography challenge.

In my humble opinion …

So, what’s my personal verdict on this? Should doctors wear white coats in find-a-doc videos? I lean toward no. When a client asks our opinion, we encourage business casual, sans white coat. But some clients choose to go with white and we happily make it work. A few weeks ago, we had the best of both worlds. We did interviews without coats, but then the doctors wore them in the exam room video with a patient. It was a win-win. They looked friendly, approachable and healthy in the interview, and authoritative and “doctor-like” in the b-roll.

I’m sure we can find more important things to debate in healthcare than this, but it seems to be a persistent question in our world. I hope this has helped frame the argument so you can make the best decision for your providers.

Beyond the coat, there’s more to consider when deciding what to wear on camera. Jewelry, hair, make up. Here are a few more of our camera-friendly wardrobe tips, including another color you’ll want to avoid.

The original version of this page was published at:  https://healthcarevideoedge.com/2020/01/30/should-doctors-wear-white-coats-in-videos/