At the Centre of Regenerative Medicine in Edinburgh I happened to come across this little instalment by the artist AND scientist Hamer Dodds. Entitled "breaking down the barriers between the stereotypic white coated scientist and non specialist" .
Usually when people refer to the "White coat" effect they're talking about the barrier generated between patients and doctors during or prior clinical examination. The patients negative preconceptions of what visiting their doctor may be like, or may involve can cause the patient to resist visiting at all! Even in spite of clear symptoms and discomfort. Furthermore it is also thought to have an effect on certain components of the clinical examination, such as blood pressure (BP) results. If the patient succumbs to the "white coat effect" such physiological factors in the presence of their doctor or within a clinical setting will generate unreliable results.