Modesty in medical settings refers to the practices and equipment used to preserve patient modesty in medical examination and clinics.
History Prior to the invention of the stethoscope, a physician who wanted to perform auscultation to listen to heart sounds or noise inside a body would have to physically place their ear against the body of the person being examined. In 1816, male physician René Laennec invented the stethoscope as a way to respect the modesty of a female patient, as it would have been awkward for him to put his ear on her chest.
Methods
Hospital gowns increase modesty as compared to the patient presenting nude, but in the past, there have been odd clothing which exposes the body. Some contemporary changes to the design of hospital gowns have been proposed.
Society and culture In places with more cultural diversity, people from minority groups often make specific requests for modesty in healthcare; some minority women consequently do not access healthcare. Muslims in non-Muslim societies also occasionally make requests for modesty.
References
External links patientmodesty.org/, a United States-based nonprofit organization advocating for modesty