Should patients be clothed or naked?

I guess it's ultimately up to the doctor and his practice's protocols. For what it's worth, when I was in my teen years, I had a slight case of scoliosis. Thankfully it didn't require any ugly body braces and eventually was naturally stabilized with exercises and physical therapy. Would the doctor have noticed it had I been in my jeans and shirt? I think we all know the answer.

I think that if @tslave's fantasy became reality, things would be clearer and simpler for both the patient and the doctor.

That way, when men visit the doctor, they would go to the changing rooms to undress and shower before proceeding—naked—to a men-only waiting room. All the men would remain naked until their examination was over, after which they could return to the changing rooms to get dressed again.

It seems only natural to take a shower before being examined while completely naked by a doctor.

In 2025, I had a health check-up and saw a dermatologist to have my moles examined. I fully expected to have to get completely naked for both the check-up and the dermatologist visit, but that wasn't the case; I remained in my underwear.

In my opinion, for school and university medical exams, sports fitness assessments, general check-ups, and visits to the dermatologist, the doctor should ask the patient to be completely naked from the beginning to the end of the appointment.

Back in the 1950s and 60s in France, 18-year-old boys undergoing the medical screening board for mandatory military service had to strip completely naked in a room at the town hall; they would stand in single file in the hallway—arms at their sides—waiting to appear before the board members, who examined them from head to toe in front of everyone. Following that initial screening, during the three-day assessment at the selection center, the young men went through the medical circuit entirely naked after taking a group shower with 20 to 30 other boys.

I like the idea that the men should all have to go to a locker room and strip naked and shower and go back to the men's waiting room and wait naked for their turn. The females should have the same procedure but the waiting rooms and showers are separated with glass walls. When it is time to do the exam the naked patient is led by a nurse to the waiting staff in the exam room. Have glass doors and windows for the exam rooms just to make sure nobody gets abused. :-)

Naked.

I always think in some ways that a little bit of clothing is more naked than naked. Gowns are short enough, in my opinion are almost more sexy than nude. Of course, this depends on whether we're talking about real life or a fantasy exam.

Since I only have experience with real life, there's only been one recent one that stood out. My new dermatologist who's actually a woman is very abrupt and she said " do you need a gown?" I hesitated and she just started so I stood just in my underwear. All other exams they are so formal about the whole change routine. I do have to say it was s tad exciting but my body cooperated to avoid embarrassment

My gp is quite young but very old-school, so as soon as you enter the studio you have to get naked

I agree that a patient is sexier in a scrubs than completely naked.

However, when you're a patient, that feeling of vulnerability when you're naked is unique.

My gp is quite young but very old-school, so as soon as you enter the studio you have to get naked

It is normal for a doctor to ask a patient to undress in order to conduct a thorough examination.

When I was a child and later a teenager, my doctor would ask me to strip down to my underwear.

During school medical check-ups, we had to go into an individual cubicle to undress before seeing the school doctor.

But nowadays, doctors no longer ask patients to undress, and that’s a shame.

I have never had to get completely naked during a medical appointment with a general practitioner or a dermatologist.

Patients should be clothed appropriate to what is being checked. However, if a patient's asked to wear a gown, I also think the patient should have the option of skipping the gown and choosing to be bare if they wish. Most of them already are (or almost all the way are) beneath the gown anyway.

Nowadays, few doctors ask patients to get completely undressed. If a doctor does request that a patient undress fully, they will offer a medical gown; however, it is up to the patient to decide whether or not to wear it.

When a dermatologist checks for moles, they should ask the patient to undress completely to allow for a full skin examination—in such cases, one might question whether a gown is even necessary.

During a consultation with a general practitioner—regardless of the reason for the visit—it would seem appropriate for the doctor to at least ask the patient to strip down to their underwear, in which case no gown is required.

In the last 3 years I've had 2 operations and one medical admissiont (3 weeks ago) Two RN's do a skin exam--and they're thorough. It's part of the admission process. Usually patient has gown and socks. They started with removing the socks. move on up, checking the anus and genitals, gown is off at the end. When I was young, I had bed baths; nurse would expose only the part being washed and cover after washing. Bed bath now the aide almost always got me naked; after the face, gown off for arms and torso. Sometimes I'd be asked to sit in chair, naked, & do my lower body while aide worked on the bed. . other times (when I was weak) the aide would do everything.

I was usually only naked at the end of the examination when my testicles were felt.

During a medical consultation with a general practitioner, it is considered normal for the doctor to ask the patient to undress—either down to their underwear or completely—so that an examination can be performed. A dermatologist may also ask a patient to undress completely in order to conduct a thorough skin examination. Similarly, during a general health check-up, it is standard practice for a doctor to request that the patient undress completely to obtain a comprehensive view of their body. Furthermore, it is not inappropriate to be completely undressed when being weighed.

During a medical consultation with a general practitioner, it is considered normal for the doctor to ask the patient to undress—either down to their underwear or completely—so that an examination can be performed. A dermatologist may also ask a patient to undress completely in order to conduct a thorough skin examination. Similarly, during a general health check-up, it is standard practice for a doctor to request that the patient undress completely to obtain a comprehensive view of their body. Furthermore, it is not inappropriate to be completely undressed when being weighed.

That just doesn't happen in the U.S. generally nowadays. They weigh you, check height, fever, BP, oxygen level, ask their supid questions ( all by the Nurse ). Then the Dr comes in and asks if any problems, checks your heart and lungs, then you're out the door if they don't hear anything wrong. Don't even remove a stitch of clothing.

Full naked and a rectal temperature bent over the exam table

Full naked and a rectal temperature bent over the exam table

It wouldn't bother me to be completely naked and have my temperature taken rectally while leaning over the examination table.