Scrubs are an essential part of the medical profession. They provide a practical and hygienic uniform that allows healthcare professionals to perform their duties with ease. But did you know that the color of scrubs can have an impact on the wearer's mood and mindset? In this blog post, we will explore the psychology behind the colors of scrubs.
It is already past the time for all the nurses to wear the same color in all healthcare facilities. Today, hospitals and clinics are more flexible in choosing the color for nurses’ uniforms because they know the importance of color to their brand image.
Color is expressive and emotional; every color evokes a different feeling or mood in people. The color of uniforms will affect not only the nurses’ feelings but also the patients’ feelings and emotions. While the perception of color is subjective, some effects of colors have universal meanings and effects.
Understanding the psychological meaning of every color will help you choose the suitable color which can create the right mood, while aligned with your hospital’s brand image. This post will walk you through how each color can impact the ‘look and feel’ of your scrubs.
White Scrubs White is the traditional color of scrubs worn by medical professionals. It is associated with cleanliness, purity, and professionalism. White scrubs are often worn in surgical settings, as they provide a sterile and clinical appearance. However, white can also be a difficult color to maintain, as it shows stains easily.
White; scrub used to be white. White has been marked ‘healthcare color’ as it has been considered as the best choice for doctors and nurses for so long until now. White has been the most optimal and safest choice because white is a sign of sterility and hygiene.
White - the color of cleanliness. Meanwhile, the white color evokes a neutral, and calm tone for both the patients and nurses.
However, in practical use, white fabric is subjected to stains and dirt. The white uniform also requires high maintenance to preserve the white color.
Blue Scrubs Blue is a calming color that is often associated with trust, confidence, and loyalty. Blue scrubs are popular among medical professionals, as they provide a sense of calm and stability in high-pressure environments. Blue scrubs are also believed to promote healing and relaxation, making them a popular choice for pediatricians and mental health professionals.
In addition, blue uniforms are pretty easy to maintain the colors. Stains and dirt are not too visible in blue colors. For an overall brand image of the hospital, blue uniforms blend pretty well with the different interior design styles of hospitals and clinics.
Green Scrubs Green is a color that is associated with nature, growth, and harmony. Green scrubs are often worn by surgical staff, as they provide a contrast to the red blood and reduce eye fatigue during long procedures. Green is also believed to have a calming effect, making it a popular choice for healthcare professionals who work in stressful environments.
The green color also evokes the feeling of refreshment and equilibrium. The green scrub creates friendly and calm feelings for patients.
Another more important reason to surgeons choose a green color for scrubs: the green color creates a much more important impact on the performance of surgeons. Green is considered to help doctors see better in the operation theatre. On the color wheel, we can see that green is the opposite of red.
And looking at green or blue colors will help doctors refresh doctors vision of red things, which include the bloody internal organs of patients. Besides, a deep focus on red can lead to distracting green illusions on white surfaces because the white color contains all colors of the wheel including red and green. Therefore, if the scrub color is green, the green illusion can be minimized. There has been extensive research on the effects of green color on the performance of surgeons in operating theatres.
Purple & Pink; warm colors like purple has been picked for nurses because the warm colors evoke feelings of warmth and sincere care. Purple, the royal color, also creates a feeling of truthfulness and high quality. The purple scrubs make the nurses look much more friendly, and stylish.
Pink is also one of the favorite colors for nurse scrubs due to its lovely, friendly tone. Pink creates a tone of warmth, and nurturing. It is also a sign of love. Pink is usually picked for nurse scrubs in the pediatric department where the nurses need trust and acceptance from the little patients.
Red Scrubs Red is a bold and attention-grabbing color that is associated with passion, energy, and excitement. Red scrubs are often worn by emergency medical professionals, as they provide a sense of urgency and authority. However, red can also be an overpowering color and may cause anxiety in some patients.
Black Scrubs Black is a sleek and sophisticated color that is associated with power, elegance, and professionalism. Black scrubs are a popular choice for medical professionals who want to look stylish and fashionable while on the job. However, black can also be a depressing color, so it may not be the best choice for healthcare professionals who work in mental health settings.
Black; minimalistic colors like white and black are never out of fashion. Although black is not really as popular as white when it comes to healthcare uniforms, black is still picked by many hospitals due to its color meaning, and practicality. Black color is a sign of security, emotional safety, and efficiency. Also, black is a stylish color, which will make you always stylish and professional. For practical use, the black color is easy for washing and maintenance.
Every color evokes a different mood and tone for the scrub you are going to wear. Before picking a color for scrubs in your healthcare facility, you should think about the meaning behind every color and its effects on professionals’ performance. Another factor to consider when choosing color is your hospital brand image: the color of scrubs should blend well with your hospital’s interior design.
In conclusion, the color of scrubs can have a significant impact on the mood and mindset of the wearer. White, blue, green, red, and black are all popular choices for medical professionals, each with its own unique psychological associations. By understanding the psychology behind the colors of scrubs, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions when selecting their uniforms.