Key result
Blood pressure readings were significantly higher when healthcare providers wore a white lab coat, with cardiologists most prone to causing white coat hypertension compared to other staff.
Why the study?
Does healthcare provider attire and occupation affect the accuracy of blood pressure measurements and the incidence of white coat hypertension?
Observational
Does healthcare provider attire and occupation affect the accuracy of blood pressure measurements and the incidence of white coat hypertension?
Healthcare provider attire (white coats) and occupation (cardiologists) significantly increase blood pressure readings, suggesting alternative providers should measure BP to reduce white coat hypertension.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
BP inaccuracy greater with cardiologists/nurses and white coats; leaves open whether technician-led, coat-free measurements improve diagnosis.
White coat hypertension describes individuals with elevated blood pressure (BP) in medical facilities, such as clinics, and hospitals, but whose BP is normal when they are going about their daily activities. The purpose of this study was to assess whether certain types of healthcare providers are more accurately able to determine BP in comparison to the twenty four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), as well as to assess the effect of a healthcare provider’s attire on BP reading. The results show that BP readings were significantly higher when any of the healthcare providers wore a white lab coat. This suggests that attire of the healthcare provider has an impact on the BP readings. Cardiologists were most prone to causing white coat hypertension compared to nurses or cardiovascular technicians. It is therefore advised that alternate healthcare providers check BP to minimize the risk of erroneous BP readings and reduce the risk of white coat hypertension.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Arjun Pandey (2015) conducted an observational in White coat hypertension. Healthcare provider attire (white lab coat) and occupation vs. No white lab coat / nurses or cardiovascular technicians was evaluated on Blood pressure reading accuracy and effect of attire. Blood pressure readings were significantly higher when healthcare providers wore a white lab coat, with cardiologists most prone to causing white coat hypertension compared to other staff.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: