Baring all: The impact of the hospital gown on patient well-being.

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. However, previous studies include a variety of hospital clothing including pyjamas (Edvardsson, 2009) and dressing gowns (Topo & Iltanen-Tähkävuori, 2010), whereas in the United Kingdom, a 'one-size-fits-all' backless gown, held together with ties at the back, is most commonly used. What this study adds This study furthers understanding about the lived experience of wearing hospital clothing for people living with a chronic health condition (congenital heart disease) and without. Wearing hospital clothing (most commonly the hospital gown) was associated with symbolic embodiment of the 'sick' role, relinquishing control to medical professionals, and emotional and physical vulnerability for people living with a chronic heal...

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology - April 19, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Morton L, Cogan N, Kornfält S, Porter Z, Georgiadis E Tags: Br J Health Psychol Source Type: research