User-Centered Redesign of Medical Examination Clothing: Enhancing Patient Comfort and Clinical Efficiency

Hong, Y., Lee, H., Kim, Y. E., & Choi, H. E. (2025). User-Centered Redesign of Medical Examination Clothing: Enhancing Patient Comfort and Clinical Efficiency. Under Review.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a user-centered redesign of medical examination clothing that enhances both patient comfort and clinical efficiency by addressing the needs of both examinees and medical professionals. Traditional medical examination garments often cause discomfort and psychological stress, as they tend to expose sensitive body areas, leading to feelings of vulnerability and embarrassment. To address these issues, feedback was gathered from examinees and medical professionals using a mixed-method approach. An online survey of 1,800 examinees and focus group interviews with 13 medical professionals were conducted to identify design requirements. Based on this input, prototype garments were developed. The evaluation process included assessing the overlap length in colonoscopy pants, conducting a wear test with 15 participants, and demonstrating the new designs to 5 medical professionals. The redesigned clothing significantly improved patient comfort during key stages of the medical process—such as walking, using the restroom, and undergoing examinations—while reducing anxiety related to body exposure. Both examinees and medical professionals reported higher levels of satisfaction with the new garments. This study highlights the effectiveness of a user-centered approach in redesigning medical clothing, showing that thoughtful, feedback-driven designs can enhance patient experiences and streamline clinical procedures. The redesign offers practical benefits for medical examination centers, potentially improving patient satisfaction, reducing anxiety, and increasing procedural efficiency for medical staff.