Impact of gowning on visit length and physical examinations.
We evaluated the effect of a randomized trial of gowning on length of visit and number of physical examinations performed in an outpatient clinic. Nineteen senior internal medicine trainees saw 110 patients without gowns and 113 patients with gowns. Patients without gowns were with the trainees 25.2 +/- 11.9 (mean +/- SD) minutes versus 24.2 +/- 10.3 minutes for gowned patients (p = .51). Ungowned patients were in the examination room a total of 38.5 +/- 15.9 minutes versus 42.9 +/- 17.6 minutes for gowned patients (p = .06). The number of patients that underwent physical examinations was the same (89) for gowned and ungowned groups, and the distribution of the number of examinations by patient group differed only slightly (p = .88). Gowning did not significantly decrease the length of visit or increase the number of physical examinations performed.
Ambulatory Care Program, VHA Medical Center, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA.
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Nardone
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James
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Finck
D001512:Bedding and Linens; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D013997:Time Factors