At a musculoskeletal outpatient clinic, I had a patient who was a mum in her mid 20’s with back pain. After we had covered the subjective exam I asked her to take off her top. Before I finished my sentence she was saying ‘yeah that’s ok’ and proceeded to remove her top. She seemed very comfortable.
As I started to assess her lumbar spine movement with PPAIVMS in side lying my supervisor entered the room. I was having trouble with feeling the movement so my supervisor demonstrated on the patient. Before my supervisor started assessing the patient she folded a towel and placed it over the patient’s upper chest. The patient seemed to really appreciate just that little bit extra privacy and care.
I didn’t think to drape the patient. I think it was a combination of the patient initially appearing very comfortable and me forgetting what its like to disrobe in front of someone else. After this experience I know that I will be more vigilant with my draping and more considerate of how my patients feel even if they come across as being comfortable.
1 comment:
i found myself in such situation as well when i was on my musculo prac. I ask the patient if they don't feel comfortable, they can use the towel to cover up but they usually reply, 'its ok, don bother'. But when my supervisor comes in, she just automatically put a towel over the patient and no doubt they appreciated it. I guess, everyone do feel more comfortable with draping even though they feel like they don't need it. So, drape! :)
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