Doctors Lab Coat: A Bit More Complex than You Might Think

Like most people I have always been under thetwo pockets, no stain protection and very little
impression that there is no difference betweenbreathability. If you can live with it then go ahead,
one doctors lab coat and another. Lab coats areyou just won’t be very comfortable with it.
just lab coats, right? Just cloth with pockets forAlso, they probably aren’t going to last that
prescription pads, correct?long so you’ll have to buy a new one fairly
Ask any doctor and they will laugh at this. Isoon.
actually know this because one of my friendsAccording to my friend good lab coats all have a
who is a pediatrician did this when I asked herfew things in common. First of all, the fabric
why she would spend $150 on a lab coat. Howneeds to be breathable. 100% cotton lab coats
was I supposed to know? But I guess the old ruleseem to be the way to go since they not only
applies here: you get what you pay for. You canbreathe but also are more durable, comfortable,
spend less on a lab coat, but if you spend all dayand look better longer. While most people might
in it, you wouldn’t want to.not think about it, the way a lab coat fits is also
She put it to me this way: say you’re avery important. A properly fitted coat disperses
lawyer who has to spend most of his or her daythe weight of the garment and its contents (i.e.
driving from city to city for court appearances.what’s in the pockets) over the entire
You spend, say, four hours a day on the roadshoulders and not just the back of the neck. This
driving your car. When it comes time to purchaseobviously makes the lab coat more comfortable.
a new car that you’re going to spend all thatMy friend also stated that a quality doctors lab
time in, are you going to buy the cheap car withcoat should have at least four pockets, have soil
uncomfortable seats or a more expensive oneand stain treatment and should give its wearer a
that has designer seats which won’t hurtfull range of motion without compromising
your back day after day? Chances are if youprotection. Finally, lab coats have to have a certain
have the money you’re going to spend a littlestyle. Since it will be one of the first impressions
extra of it on the car that you’ll be the mostyou make to your patients, you want them to
comfortable in.look good and give them off a certain
And like a car, differently priced lab coats haveprofessional feel. All of these make a good lab
different features and comfort levels. A basic labcoat, and it’s a lot more important than you
coat will essentially give you a coat with one ormight think.