Hospital gowns in the health care system: a study exploring whether the hospital gown preserves a patient's dignity, modesty, and comfort

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Over the years, hospital gowns have become accepted as the standard attire worn by patients in healthcare settings, especially in hospitals. The need for hospital gowns is still present in today's medicine, but new medical practices and patients' preferences may lead to gown modifications. Therefore, this study aimed to discover how patients perceive satisfaction when wearing and using a hospital gown during medical intervention. A qualitative research method was used for this research study to determine whether the patients' preferences of comfort, modesty, and dignity regarding the hospital gown are met while maintaining the functionality of the gown for healthcare providers. Overall, the patients viewed the hospital gown as an unpleasant medical necessity that the patient had to endure as a part of the outpatient or inpatient experience. The patients were willing to endure the unpleasant experiences because they believed the gown was a medical necessity. Further, the data supports the finding that patients were willing to endure the use of the gown even though the hospital gown was described as oversized, exposing, and self-conscious. Based on the results, the data support the need for a redesign using the guiding principles of the FEA Consumer Needs Model and LCPT. Many patients have even suggested ways to make the gown more patient-centered. For the patients, this study acts to represent their opinions on a garment that has been widely used for many centuries. The research helps healthcare providers understand how a patient feels when donning a hospital gown.