A Study on Human-centered Design of Toddler Hospital Gowns
Abstract
The quality of treatment influences hospitalization experience. A hospital gown plays a substantial role as it is a clinical supplement intended to provide physical and psychological well-being for inpatients. But the traditional gowns are non-fitted one-piece knee-length tunic-like dresses with a full opening at the back with knot closures and loose short sleeves. Dehumanizing aspects of care, as symbolically represented by the hospital gown, may adversely impact patient well-being. Based on the existing literature, no study focused on improving the traditional toddler's hospital gown's functionality, usability, and comfort from the users', caregivers', and medical practitioners' perspectives. To rectify this gap, original data is collected from healthcare professionals and parents of hospitalized children to understand problems associated with traditional gowns and develop design criteria for a novel toddler hospital gown design. The developed design criteria will help design highly functional, user-friendly, and comfortable hospital gowns for toddlers. Moreover, it will guide adaptive clothing design for patients with special health conditions.
Keywords: Functional toddler, hospital gown, user, practitioner, caregiver, Functional, toddler
How to Cite:
Akter, H. & Goncu-Berk, G., (2024) “A Study on Human-centered Design of Toddler Hospital Gowns”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17445