Why do I have to get semi-naked to see a doctor?
October 27, 2014 11:29 PM Subscribe
So I finally got health insurance in the US and made a 'new patient' appointment for a physical. After talking the nurse through my (very limited) medical history, I was asked to undress and put on a medical gown. I then met my new doctor, talked about my medical history again, asked for a referral to a chiropractor (I have scoliosis and associated back pain, and wanted to re-establish treatment). She took my blood pressure, did the stethoscope thing on my back, and did a bit of abdomen pressing. The rest was talking. So why did I need to undress and wear a medical gown?
My experience with doctors in the UK and Australia is that doctors are easily able to do those things by lifting up / adjusting my clothes (and when I see a doctor, I wear clothes appropriate for these checks - I'm not stupid). Apart from pap tests and IUD insertion, when I've been asked to remove the bottom half of my clothing - of course.
What is the purpose of this disrobing for general primary care visits in the US?
It takes more time (they gave me 5 minutes to disrobe and 5 minutes to put my clothes back on - rather excessive given that I have been dressing and undressing myself for over 38 years, and it takes a lot less than 5 minutes!). It made me feel uncomfortable - I wasn't wearing my clothes. It made me feel like I should have had a medical problem to be there (this was a long overdue physical, without any presenting problem). It made me feel disempowered (she was fully clothed, I was wearing a gown with nice pretty flowers on it that left my back and ass exposed).
posted by finding.perdita to Health & Fitness (39 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
