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

Chan, Chee Ken and Lam, Thian Yin and Mohanavel, Langkeas and Ghani, Jeffrie A. and Anuar, Afieq S. K. and Lee, Choon Jiat and Loo, Qing Yuan and Heng, Wei Yang and Lai, Pauline Siew Mei and Koh, Kwee C. and Loh, Huai H. and Kori, Najma and Sulaiman, Helmi (2024) Knowledge, attitude, and practice of white coat use among medical students during clinical practice (LAUNDERKAP): A cross-sectional study. American Journal Of Infection Control, 52 (1). pp. 35-40. ISSN 0196-6553, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2023.06.022.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/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 < .01), as well as knowledge and practice (r = 0.111, P < .05). Conclusions: The results demonstrate the need for more education to improve medical students' infection control practices. Our results can also guide decision-making among administrators on the role of white coats as part of medical student attire. (c) 2023 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Hospital attire; Infection control; Junior doctor
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine > Medicine Department
Faculty of Medicine > Primary Care Medicine Department
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 20 Jun 2024 00:22
Last Modified: 20 Jun 2024 00:22
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/44190

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