Development and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Patient Gowns for Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Overview

Traditional hospital gowns fail to protect patient privacy due to their design features, restrict freedom of movement and are incompatible with medical equipment. This situation negatively affects both patient satisfaction and the quality of care. The limited number of studies addressing this issue in the literature highlights the unique value of the topic. This project will be conducted with a randomized controlled design to develop a functional and ergonomic hospital gown suitable for clinical requirements for patients undergoing abdominal surgery and to evaluate its effectiveness. During the design process, priority will be given to privacy, ease of mobilization and integration with medical devices. The study first plans to produce a prototype of a cotton fabric apron. Technical modeling will be conducted in collaboration with the Department of Textile and Fashion Design at Bahçeşehir University; the prototype will then be evaluated for clinical suitability. In the second phase, an experimental study will be conducted at Medicana Hospital in Ataşehir, Istanbul, to assess the apron's effectiveness. The sample size was determined using power analysis to include 86 patients in each of the control and intervention groups, for a total of 172 patients, and 14 healthcare professionals will participate in the study. Patient and healthcare professional identification forms, along with patient apron evaluation questionnaires, will be used as data collection tools. The study consists of five main work packages: (1) obtaining the necessary permits and registering the research, (2) selecting materials and determining fabric properties, (3) technical modeling and design work, (4) patient trials, and (5) data analysis. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be maintained throughout the process, and the final model will be developed through iterative prototyping and pilot trials. The widespread impact of the project is expected to increase the quality of clinical care by enhancing the comfort and safety of surgical patients, facilitating the workflow of healthcare professionals and promoting sustainable textile usage. In addition, the commercialization of the developed product has the potential to make an economic contribution to the domestic textile sector.

The use of a hospital gown begins with the patient's admission to the hospital and continues until discharge. The traditional hospital gowns used today were designed in the early 1900s. These gowns feature a design that ties at the back and has no opening at the front. Although there have been many innovations and changes in patient care over the years, patient gowns have remained one of the few elements that have remained unchanged in the treatment and care process. Since patient gowns are provided by the hospital, it is common for them not to be tailored to the patient and to fail to meet individual needs. The negative effects of current hospital gowns are addressed in the literature from various perspectives. The first of these is a loss of control and emotional distress. It has been reported that wearing a hospital gown creates a distinct sense of loss of control in patients, increases stress levels, and reinforces feelings of exclusion. Another significant area of concern is violations of privacy and dignity. Because the design of the traditional hospital gown does not adequately protect privacy, it leads to feelings of shame and a sense of being exposed and vulnerable among patients. Physical discomfort and restricted mobility are also among the frequently criticized aspects of current gowns. The literature indicates that the lacing systems of gowns are difficult to use, do not fit the body properly, and restrict patients' movements. Additionally, the need for assistance when putting on or taking off a gown makes patients dependent on family members or healthcare professionals. It is noted that these functional limitations lead to more serious problems, particularly in elderly, obese, or mobility-impaired individuals. All these factors lead to dissatisfaction among both patients and healthcare workers. Studies indicate that current patient gowns are not only impractical but also undermine patient identity and self-confidence, which negatively impacts the care process. For example, following surgical treatment, patients are advised to spend at least two hours out of bed on the day of surgery and six hours on subsequent days. However, the open back of the traditional patient gown prevents patients from safely leaving their room and walking around. In light of these findings, the need for innovative and patient-centered design in healthcare has become inevitable. The literature emphasizes that alternative scrubs models to be developed must not only enhance patients' psychological and physical comfort but also meet healthcare professionals' needs for functionality and ease of use. In this context, the development of new patient gown designs that protect privacy, fit the body well, and facilitate functional, patient-centered care is among the top priorities of modern healthcare. The aim of this study is to develop a new gown tailored to the needs of patients undergoing abdominal surgery and to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed patient gown. This study is unique due to the limited number of studies on this topic in the literature. In this context, the following hypotheses have been constructed. H1: The developed patient gown increases the patient's physical comfort. H2: The developed patient gown increases the patient's independence. H3: The developed patient gown ensures the patient's privacy. H4: The developed patient gown facilitates easy access to medical equipment on the patient's body. H5: The developed patient gown ensures the patient's safety. H6: The developed patient gown reduces the workload of healthcare professionals. H7: The developed patient gown facilitates treatment and care processes for healthcare professionals.