White Coats and the Law: What Non-Medical Staff Must Know

RAMACHANDRAN. P (RAM)

Ramachandran Parthasarathy is the Honorary Advisor of India Vision Institute, Fellow Institute of Directors and Eyewear Business Strategy Expert, South Asia.

The white coat has long been a global symbol of trust, professionalism, and clinical authority. In India, however, the question of who may legally wear it continues to generate debate across hospitals, clinics, optical practices, and community eye-care settings. While no law governs the colour or use of the garment itself, inappropriate or misleading use can create significant legal and ethical complications — especially when it leads patients to believe that a non-qualified individual is a licensed medical professional.

Legally, India does not have a central statute that prohibits non-medical personnel from wearing a white coat. Doctors, optometrists, vision technicians, ophthalmic assistants and even administrators may use them across various institutions. What the law does prohibit is misrepresentation. Sections 416 – 420 of the Indian Penal Code classify “cheating by personation” as a punishable offence. A person without medical qualifications who wears a white coat in a way that implies clinical authority – for example, by using badges that read “Dr.,” “Consultant,” or “Physician,” or by participating in medical decision-making – may be held liable for impersonation. This applies even when patients are unintentionally misled.

Additionally, the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), state-specific Clinical Establishment Acts, and various professional council regulations require that only qualified and registered practitioners conduct examinations, prescribe treatment, or use designations reserved for licensed professionals. When a white coat is combined with clinical activities, it may create an impression of professional qualification, increasing both legal and ethical risks for institutions.

To avoid this, many hospitals and corporate clinics have introduced internal uniform policies that clearly differentiate professional roles. In many settings, white coats are reserved for doctors and licensed clinicians such as optometrists, while support staff wear coloured scrubs or other identifiable uniforms. This protects patients, ensures transparency, and shields organisations from potential litigation and reputational harm.

With several NGOs now exploring entrepreneurial models that involve short-term training courses and the provision of presbyopic “readers,” some are considering giving trainees white coats to enhance perceived authenticity. This is where an ethical boundary must be carefully observed. While a professional appearance may be necessary when interacting with patients, it should never come at the cost of misrepresenting the provider’s level of expertise. Presbyopia can indeed be addressed with simple readers in rural markets, but the service should not be presented as comprehensive eye care. Furthermore, the quality of readers must comply with minimum standards set by QCI and WHO.

The key principle is transparency – ensuring that patients always know who is providing their care and what qualifications they hold.

Ultimately, the debate is not about the coat itself but about the responsibility it represents. The white coat may be symbolic, but the trust placed in it is real. For healthcare systems striving toward quality, safety, and patient-centred care, clarity of roles is essential. Allowing non-medical staff to wear white coats is lawful, but only when it does not blur the boundaries of professional competence. As large eye-care institutions in India have spent decades building trust in rural communities, new entrants promoting self-sustaining models must ensure that service quality is never compromised. Maintaining clarity is both a legal requirement and an ethical obligation.

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White Coats and the Law: What Non-Medical Staff Must Know

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