Knowledge, attitude, and practice of white coat use among medical students during clinical practice (LAUNDERKAP): A cross-sectional study

Chan CK 1 , Lam TY 1 , Mohanavel L 1 , Ghani JA 1 , Anuar ASK 1 , Lee CJ 1 Show all authors , Loo QY 1 , Heng WY 1 , Lai PSM 2 , Koh KC 3 , Loh HH 4 , Kori N 5 , Sulaiman H 6 , LAUNDERKAP Study Group

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Medicine, International Medical University, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: helmisu@ummc.edu.my
Am J Infect Control, 2024 Jan;52(1):35-40.
PMID: 37423404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.06.022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent studies found white coats to be reservoirs for bacteria and medical students did not conform to proper hygiene measures when using these white coats. We investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of medical students toward white coat use in clinical settings (LAUNDERKAP).

METHODS: A validated, online-based survey was disseminated to 670 students from four Malaysian medical schools via random sampling. Scores were classified into good, moderate, or poor knowledge and practice, and positive, neutral, or negative attitude. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the relationship between demographic variables and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.

RESULTS: A total of 492/670 students responded (response rate: 73.4%). A majority showed negative attitudes (n = 246, 50%), poor knowledge (n = 294, 59.8%), and moderate practice (n = 239, 48.6%). Senior and clinical year students had more negative attitudes. Male students had higher knowledge, while students from private medical schools and preclinical years had better practice. There was a significant relationship between attitude and practice (r = 0.224, P 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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