What is the uniform doctors wear called? Scrubs, scrub top, and lab coat

Article published at: Oct 26, 2025 Article author: Equipo Jelrisofit
¿Cómo se llama el uniforme de los doctores? Descubre los nombres y tipos de ropa médica
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Doctors' uniforms don't have a single name. How they're referred to depends on the garment, the workplace, and the terms used by each hospital, clinic, or school.

The set consisting of a top and pants is usually called scrub, surgical scrubs, or medical uniform. The top part can be called a tunic or blouse, while the long garment worn over it is known as a lab coat or medical gown.

These words don't always mean exactly the same thing. Some name a complete set, others refer to a single garment, and others describe clothing used in a specific setting.

The most common names are:

  • Scrub: a set of top and pants used as clinical workwear.
  • Surgical scrubs: another common name for the two-piece set.
  • Medical uniform: a general term that can include different work garments.
  • Tunic or scrub top: the upper part of the uniform.
  • Medical pants or scrub pants: the lower part of the set.
  • Lab coat: a long garment worn over scrubs or other clothing.

In everyday language, the same person might use several of these terms to refer to similar garments. The chosen word can also change depending on the country, institution, or clinical area.

Most common names for doctors' clothing

The following table helps identify whether each name refers to the complete uniform, the top, the pants, or an outer garment.

Name
What it identifies
Where it's commonly heard
What you should keep in mind
Scrub
Set of top and pants.
Hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, and medical uniform stores.
Can be used as the name for the complete set or, informally, for one of its pieces.
Surgical scrubs
Set of top and pants.
Hospitals, schools, and areas related to surgical procedures.
In some places, it's used as a synonym for scrub; in others, it's reserved for specific environments.
Medical uniform
General category of clinical clothing.
All types of institutions and professional clothing stores.
Can refer to scrubs, lab coats, or other garments used by healthcare personnel.
Tunic or scrub top
Upper part of the uniform.
Clinics, hospitals, schools, and specialized stores.
Does not identify the complete set on its own.
Medical pants
Lower part of the uniform.
Various clinical settings.
Can have a straight, tapered, jogger, or other cut.
Lab coat
Long outer garment.
Consultation, teaching, laboratory, hospitalization, and other settings.
Can be worn over personal clothing or over scrubs, according to institution rules.

Do "scrub" and "surgical scrubs" mean the same thing?

In many conversations, scrub and surgical scrubs are used to name the same set of top and pants.

However, there is no linguistic rule that requires all institutions to use both terms in the same way.

A hospital might call the set used in its surgical unit surgical uniform, while using scrub or medical uniform for clothing in other areas. In another institution, the word surgical scrubs might be used generally for any such set.

Therefore, it is not correct to state that one of the names is always more precise than the others. To understand a uniform directive, it is advisable to check which garments the institution is referring to.

When a regulation states "full surgical scrubs," it usually expects a set composed of:

  • A top.
  • Pants of the indicated color or style.
  • Additional garments requested by the institution.

The name of the set alone does not determine the color, cut, or fabric.

What is a medical tunic?

A medical tunic is the upper part of the uniform. It can also be found under names like medical scrub top, scrub blouse, or medical top.

A tunic can have:

  • V-neck.
  • Round neck.
  • Mandarin collar.
  • Short or long sleeves.
  • Front opening.
  • One or more pockets.
  • Straight, fitted, or relaxed cut.

These characteristics describe the design, but do not change the fact that it is the top part.

Buying a tunic does not necessarily mean buying a complete uniform. When pants are sold separately, it is necessary to confirm that both are compatible in color, fabric, and style.

It may also happen that a school, clinic, or hospital uses the word tunic to indicate a specific model. In that case, the regulations must be reviewed before choosing the collar, sleeves, or pockets.

What are the pants doctors wear called?

The bottom part can be called:

  • Medical pants.
  • Scrub pants.
  • Surgical pants.
  • Surgical scrub pants.

These names usually describe a garment used as part of the clinical uniform. They do not necessarily indicate a specific shape.

The terms Jogger, straight, tapered, Slim Fit, and Regular Fit describe the cut or silhouette of the pants, not a different profession.

For example:

  • Jogger pants usually narrow towards the ankle and may end in a cuff.
  • Straight pants maintain a more uniform width in the leg.
  • A tapered model gradually narrows towards the bottom.
  • Slim Fit offers less room than a regular cut.

The waistband system is also independent of the name. Medical pants can use a drawstring, elastic, a combination of both, or a wide waistband.

What is a lab coat?

A lab coat is an outer garment that typically reaches approximately the hip, thigh, or knee. It can be worn over personal clothing or over scrubs, according to workplace rules.

Although the white coat is the most recognized image, not all lab coats have to be white. The color, length, closure, and number of pockets can change depending on the institution and function.

Its uses may include:

  • Identifying a professional role.
  • Complying with a dress code.
  • Carrying instruments and work items in pockets.
  • Creating a common presentation in consultation, teaching, or laboratory settings.

The white coat continues to be a recognized symbol of the medical profession. However, not all patients prefer the same attire. A systematic review published in 2025 found that preferences change according to the clinical setting, specialty, and other characteristics of the physician and patient. Systematic Review

Therefore, it should not be stated that a white coat always generates more trust or that a doctor without a coat is automatically perceived as less professional.

Lab coat and surgical gown are not the same

A lab coat and a surgical gown are different garments, although both use the word gown.

Lab coat

This is the outer garment used in consultations, teaching, laboratories, rounds, or other environments. It is frequently white, but can come in other colors.

It may include lapels, buttons, pockets, and varying lengths. In some places, it is also known as a doctor's coat or clinic coat.

Surgical gown

This is a garment used during certain surgical procedures. Its design, use, and handling respond to different requirements than those of an everyday lab coat.

It should not be confused with:

  • The white consultation coat.
  • The scrub tunic.
  • The surgical scrub set.

When an institution requests a surgical gown, it is not simply asking for a white lab coat.

Is "on-call scrubs" another type of uniform?

The expression on-call scrubs is usually used informally to describe the scrubs that a doctor, resident, or intern wears during an on-call shift.

It is not necessarily a different category of clothing. In many cases, it is still a set consisting of a top and pants.

The name refers to the time or type of shift it is used, not an exclusive technical structure.

An institution may use this expression internally, but it should not be assumed that all stores, hospitals, or schools will understand exactly the same thing.

One might also hear internist scrubs, on-call uniform, or simply on-call scrubs. These denominations are often colloquial and can vary between teams.

How the name changes depending on the workplace

The same garment can receive different names depending on the context.

In outpatient clinics

It is common to speak of:

  • Lab coat.
  • Medical uniform.
  • Tunic.
  • Scrub.

Some doctors wear personal clothing with a lab coat, while others work in a scrub set. The choice may depend on the clinic's dress code and the type of consultation.

In hospitalization

The terms used may include:

  • Scrub.
  • Medical uniform.
  • Surgical scrubs.
  • Tunic and medical pants.

The name alone does not indicate that the person belongs to a specific specialty. In the same hospital, doctors, nursing staff, and other professionals may wear similarly appearing garments.

In a surgical unit

It is more common to find expressions like:

  • Surgical uniform.
  • Surgical scrubs.
  • Surgical clothing.

The permitted attire must comply with the institution's internal rules. It is not enough for a store to use the word "surgical" in the product name.

In schools and universities

Educational institutions may use their own terms and define a specific uniform for:

  • Clinical practices.
  • Laboratories.
  • Community activities.
  • Hospital placements.

In this case, the name should be interpreted together with the regulation's description. If only "tunic" is mentioned, it may refer only to the top; if "complete uniform" is requested, the corresponding pants are usually also required.

Conclusion

There is no single name for doctors' uniforms.

The set of top and pants is usually called scrub, surgical scrubs, or medical uniform. The top part is known as a tunic or scrub top, while the bottom part can be called medical pants or scrub pants.

The outer garment that many doctors wear in consultations is called a lab coat. This should not be confused with the surgical gown used in certain procedures.

Expressions like on-call scrubs usually describe the time when scrubs are used, but not necessarily a distinct category of uniform.

The correct term depends on which garment is being described and the vocabulary used by each hospital, clinic, school, or region. When regulations exist, it is advisable to check whether the complete set, only the tunic, specific pants, or a lab coat is requested.

Sources consulted

  • Patient Perception of Physician Attire: A Systematic Review Update — PubMed
  • Best Practices for Personal Protective Equipment — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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