Do I have to wear a gown during my physical?

[Runner430]

I hate putting on the hospital gowns for a physical.  My doctor tells me to undress down to underwear then hands me a gown and a sheet.  I don’t wear underwear and don’t have any modesty issues.  The gown seems to get in the way while she is doing the skin check.  I’d have no problem slipping it on when I stand for the hernia check, but it just falls to the elbows when she does the dre.

[specialmom]

Yes.  It's common courtesy for the doctor.  She probably doesn't want people totally naked.  Doctors have to deal with a lot of people and bodies.  Do as they ask for the visit whether it's your norm or not.  

[specialmom]

One other thing also is that the door opens when the doctor enters, possibly a nurse and that exposes the room to the hall where other patients may be. They may not want to see you naked.  :>)  Might make them uncomfortable.  So, the gown is for your modesty/privacy but also for others as well.  

[Runner430]

The rooms are designed so the swings in toward the examine table thus all any one outside can see is the wall and the curtain is drain when she leaves the room.  It’s reallly just the doctor who sees anything and I would thing the sheet would suffice.

[specialmom]

Well, ask the doctor.  But it's a few minutes of your life being asked to do what everyone else does--  I'm sure you could muster up the strength to conform for a brief few minutes but ask the doctor if it bugs you so much.