In many cities, it is not uncommon to see people walking around in scrubs. Cities with a lot of hospitals will often be full of people getting a bite to eat or grabbing a quick cup of coffee. On the subway, it is very common to see people on their way home from work still in their scrubs.
It’s understandable to not want to change out of scrubs. Especially when out for a quick cup of coffee. Often, there is limited time, and changing takes away from the time to get out. Plus, if when looking for scrub pants, some people settle on stylish ones that they want to be seen in.
However, some people wonder if it is a good idea to wear scrubs out in public. In this article, we will go over several things to think about if you are one who usually wears scrubs when outside of work.
What people see
When people see others wearing scrubs outside, it makes them think that somebody just left the hospital and could have pathogens on them. They are concerned that this person could be contaminating the area around them and spreading disease. In these times of Covid, people are even more concerned than ever.
Many people don’t realize that there are a number of healthcare professions that are not nurses or doctors. Somebody in scrubs may not even work somewhere that could have pathogens.
It is a valid concern even if the person wearing scrubs is a doctor or nurse. There are pathogens that may be new and we aren’t exactly sure about the facts of transmission.
Perception also becomes reality for some people. They will be convinced that there is an increased risk of them catching a virus if they are in the vicinity of somebody wearing scrubs that just left the hospital. It will be difficult to explain to that person that they are not doctors, or that they are not contaminated.
These people will still feel uneasy. And it will be impossible to set others at ease that haven’t spoken up about the fact that they don’t like the fact that there is somebody in scrubs nearby.
It sends the wrong message
These are times of great concern for everybody and there is a heightened sense of anxiety. Healthcare workers are supposed to be the ones that the public relies on to take care of things and make sure that people are not getting sick.
Wearing scrubs sends a message of negligence to the general public about healthcare workers in general. It’s the exact opposite of what message needs to be conveyed to allay the fear many people rightly have right now.
Healthcare facilities differ widely on their positions about whether it is allowed to wear scrubs in public. Some require that employees change before leaving and that they enter the facility in regular clothes. Others do not. Even if the facility where you work doesn’t require it, it is a good idea to not wear scrubs in public as a common courtesy.