Patient Rights: Doctor's Gown Requests & Medical Examinations

In most jurisdictions, a doctor cannot force a patient to remove their clothing or put on a gown during an office visit without the patient's consent. However, there may be certain situations where a doctor may request that a patient remove their clothing or put on a gown in order to properly perform a medical examination or procedure. For example, a doctor may request that a patient remove their clothing in order to examine a skin rash or to perform a physical exam. In these cases, the doctor should obtain the patient's consent before removing the patient's clothing.

If a patient does not consent to removing their clothing or putting on a gown, the doctor may not be able to perform the necessary medical examination or procedure. The doctor should discuss the situation with the patient and explain why the procedure is necessary. If the patient still refuses, the doctor may need to refer the patient to another doctor who is willing to perform the procedure.