If you know about healthcare, you are likely to be well aware of scrubs. Honestly, both are synonymous to one another. However, have you ever wondered what nursing staff, technicians and doctors wore before they were introduced to scrubs? Why did they actually switch? And what made scrubs so popular?
In the healthcare sector, the uniform or the attire you wear is of utmost importance. These uniforms tend to protect the professionals against contaminants and make it easier for them to perform at work. Every medical uniform thus serves its own purpose; be it a scrub set or lab coat.
All in all, scrubs are an integral component in terms of healthcare. Their role in the healthcare is rather imperative. Here we discuss why doctors wear them on a day to day basis:
1. As a Uniform
While the elders in most societies will remember the days when a doctor will be flaunting a suit and smoking within his office premise, the doctors today are often seen wearing their formal attire. You will either see them in a simple lab coat, colored scrub or both.
The stethoscope still remains to be the trademark for all healthcare professionals, but nurses and doctors as well as other hospital and clinical staff can be identified with their distinct look - "a comfy, baggy scrub that they wear."
In all honesty, it is useful to have a medical uniform. A uniform makes it easier for people to identify a medical professional. Moreover, it creates a sense of homogeneity, solidarity and camaraderie within one's own rank. It needs to be understood that scrubs are not just a piece of baggy clothes, rather scrubs are a representation of your professional commitment and reiterate the dignity of your profession.
2. As Protection (for the Patients)
Back in the day, doctors would treat their patients in their everyday clothes. They would not be concerned about hygiene or keeping themselves or their equipment clean. Before scientist were able to understand germs and their hazards, it was believed by the masses that air was the sole reason behind death, and there was no point of cleaning up when one was likely to get dirty. Moreover, blood itself was itself an honor. It was believed the bloodier your clothes, the more experienced you were.
After the germ theory gained momentum, scrubs became a part of the effort to change that and soon became a part of the mainstream culture. They were considered a necessity amongst the medical fraternity. This helped doctors in creating a physical barrier between themselves and their patients, enabling them to restrict the transmission of diseases from one patient onto another. They used to wear and dispose of the scrubs as needed.
Today, with science advancing, individuals have access to medical scrubs and lab coats featuring antimicrobial technology. This helps them remain safe from harmful contaminants. Similarly, doctors wear scrubs of different colors when interacting with patients, or performing surgeries, as need be.
3. Super Comfortable
Now, let's come to terms with, scrubs are extremely convenient. They are baggy so that they keep you relaxed and relatively easy to change into. They either feature an elastic waistband, drawstring or both for your comfort. They are easy to clean and lightweight.
In order to sanitize it, they can easily be laundered using harsh chemicals. Often medical facilities provide the option to launder. Furthermore, considering their material cost and fabric size, they are rather inexpensive and easy for hospital to source. With so many online platforms now available that deal in scrubs, hospitals can also conveniently order online and leverage from lucrative promotions on bulk and group orders.
Today, there is also a new concept of designer scrubs that are generally cheaper and easy to stock up in contrast to most designer clothing alongside the practicality it offers. Also, scrubs are made for professionals on the go, which means that they are rather more flexible, and crafted from material that offer superior mobility than majority of other clothes. This way doctors don't have to be concerned about their clothes hampering their duty at work,