I went in to the dermatologist last week for an annual skin check and, instead of a humiliating, cold, and uncomfortable paper gown, this cotton spa robe was instead waiting for me to change into. My experience of whether I was working with an empathetic and caring physician was shaped before she even set foot in the exam room. Small touches like this robe can make a dramatic difference in the patient experience. This does not mean that “luxury” can or should replace high-level medical care. However, thoughtful touches like this robe can enhance and augment high quality medical care to make it even better, and we should not ignore these opportunities to make our patients feel more comfortable.
