Its design was considered to be not fit for purpose and lacking in dignity. Conclusions The implications of these findings for health policy and practice are discussed, emphasizing the importance of challenging cultural norms in health care since dehumanizing aspects of care, as symbolically represented by the hospital gown, may adversely impact on patient well-being.
Statement of contribution What is already known Getting dressed is a form of self-expression, which contributes to the construction of social identity, yet few studies have explored the impact of wearing hospital clothing on patient well-being. The few studies on hospital clothing that exist suggest it is predominantly associated with feeling depersonalized, stigmatized, and devitalized, being in the 'patient role', low status, and a lack of control and privacy.
ANYONE who has ever had to walk along a hospital corridor wearing an open-back NHS gown — split from shoulder to buttocks — can confirm it is an undignified experience. Earlier this month, David Oliver, a consultant specialising in geriatric medicine and a former vice-president of the Royal College of Physicians, wrote about the indignity of hospital gowns in The BMJ.
He acknowledged that there are times when gowns are required — during operations, whole-body examinations, in the emergency department, or in critical care units, where patients require nursing in bed — but questioned why many people are made to change into them upon arrival at hospital, and are never encouraged to change back out.
A survey of patients by researchers from the University of Strathclyde, who presented the results at a conference in December, found that the majority felt self-conscious and uncomfortable in the gowns. Although this may seem bold and sensational, one must stop and think about it, considering the parallels. Prison uniforms are designed with safety in mind, ensuring the absence of potential ligatures or improvised weapons. Where are the standard minimum rules for hospital gowns?
Ironically, prison uniforms have the main things patients have requested: bottoms, modesty, multiple sizes, and … color! Although jailhouse orange or stripes are unlikely to be high fashion in the hospital, it is important to consider that, through indifference about the current hospital gown, institutions are teaching that it is acceptable for patients to wear this dehumanizing garment analogous to a prison uniform, except less colorful and more exposing.
The hospital gown has persisted under the myth of medical tradition, masking the fact that there is neither evidence for the current hospital gown design nor data to support its functional success for patients or providers. Thus, improvements can be made without breaking the bank and may even save hospitals money in the long run. For instance, a hospital administrator can order more colors or styles of hospital gowns and bottoms to give patients a choice of what they would prefer to wear: a small piece of autonomy in an environment where minimal autonomy exists.
A physician or nurse can not only permit, but also encourage, a patient to wear his or her own attire within reason, for example, a loose-fitting t-shirt and sweatpants from home or pajama pants under a hospital gown. Above all, patients need to know that hospitals and providers care about what patients wear in the hospital. This new decade offers the opportunity to give patients a sense of dignity back and make concerted, evidence-based efforts towards meaningful and sustainable change in patient attire, be it purchasing more colorful and modest gown options in the present or total redesign in the future.
The financial cost may seem burdensome, but the reward would be immensely bountiful. Patients deserve more than the bare minimum and a bare bottom, so hospitals must consider putting their money where their mouth is.
She has a provisional utility patent pending for a novel patient gown. You can contact her at [email protected]. Dellasega is based in the department of humanities, Penn State University, Hershey.
Lucas C et al. Lucas C and Dellasega C. Shop Hospital Clothes for Patients. These gowns are worn by doctors, nurses, surgeons and other medical personnel to protect the wearer from fluids, germs and bacteria.
These gowns may be referred to by many names, including surgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, non-surgical gowns, procedural gowns and operating room gowns. The main types of medical gowns are:.
Browse Post-Surgery Clothing. These gowns are not designed for protection, but rather so that medical personnel can easily access the patient for exams or surgery. Here are the ones that you need to know:.
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