Glenn: the basic hospital gown is an offshoot of the original cloth surgeon's gowns, that were tied by a circulating nurse. The front was plain to keep the gown as clean as can be. Many times you can simply ask for a second gown to put on the "correct way" i.e., tie it in front. THEN you are covered completely! And I agree: I've NEVER been in a hot hospital, especially in an O.R. that is kept cold so the surgeon doesn't drip sweat into the field.
It's true AI learns only from the internet, but almost all human knowledge comes can be found there. The question is, how good is AI at discerning the garbage from the reliable info. The hospital gown question is a good test, IMO. But all AIs are not the same. I asked Chat GPT the same question and got a similar but I think, more nuanced answer.. Here it is.
>>Hospital gowns are designed to be open in the back for practical and medical reasons:
Ease of Access: The open-back design allows healthcare providers to quickly access areas of the body for medical procedures, examinations, or treatments without the need for patients to completely undress. This is especially important in emergency situations.
Patient Safety: Gowns with an open back minimize the risk of contamination. Healthcare workers can easily fold or move the gown during procedures, reducing the chance of transferring bacteria or other pathogens from the fabric.
Accommodating Equipment: The design accommodates medical equipment such as IV lines, monitors, and catheters, which might be impeded by a fully closed garment.
Ease of Dressing: Many hospital patients may have limited mobility due to injury, illness, or surgery. The open-back design makes it easier for patients to put on and take off the gown, often with assistance.
Standardization and Cost: Open-back gowns are simple to manufacture and launder, which helps hospitals maintain cost efficiency for single-use or reusable garments.
While practical, the design is not without its downsides, as many patients find them uncomfortable or embarrassing. Some hospitals are exploring alternative designs to balance functionality with dignity.<<
Then I asked the question of Perplexity. Its answer was less nuanced, more like what Glenn got from Gemini. But I followed up by challenging it. Here is how perplexity responded to my challenge
>>You raise a valid point about the comfort and dignity issues associated with traditional hospital gowns. While the design is intended to facilitate medical care, it often falls short in terms of patient comfort and dignity.
Patient Feedback and Dignity
Patient feedback is crucial, and it's clear that many patients find these gowns uncomfortable and undignified. The constant risk of the gown opening and exposing the patient's backside can be embarrassing and stressful, particularly in a setting where patients are already vulnerable.
Alternative Designs
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on designing hospital gowns that balance medical accessibility with patient comfort and dignity. Some hospitals and healthcare providers have started using alternative gown designs, such as:
Closed-back gowns: These gowns have a more traditional design with a closed back but still offer easy access through adjustable openings or zippers.
Modesty gowns: These gowns are designed with additional fabric or panels to provide better coverage and reduce the risk of exposure.
Patient-centered designs: Some new designs incorporate patient feedback, offering gowns with more secure fastenings, adjustable lengths, and better overall coverage.
Innovations in Healthcare Apparel
The healthcare industry is slowly adopting more patient-centered approaches to hospital attire. Innovations include using breathable fabrics, adjustable designs, and gowns that prioritize both medical access and patient dignity.
Advocacy for Change
Patient advocacy and feedback are essential in driving these changes. Healthcare providers and manufacturers are increasingly listening to patient concerns and working to develop more comfortable and dignified hospital gowns.
In summary, while traditional hospital gowns may serve a practical purpose, they often fail to meet the comfort and dignity standards that patients deserve. The push for better-designed hospital gowns is ongoing, and patient feedback is a critical component in this process. <<.
Not too shabby. We can agree, disagree, wonder, explore, etc. Yes, AI can say some stupid stuff, but so do people. And unlike many people, AI seems willing to consider criticism and change it's mind when challenged. Since it learns from experience, I hope we humans challenge it often. Who knows, a few more challenges on the hospital gown issue and maybe Perplexity's and Gemini's initial answers will soon be more like Chat GPT's.
Historically, nurses were all female and I think that they put the opening in the back because if they had to see through the gown’s slit, they preferred to see the behind side of a man rather than the front side.
I encourage you to come up with a better hospital gown. Right now I think AI is right, but I am sure hospitals would be open to suggestions regarding the design. The sickest people are not really worried at all about their "buns" being exposed.
You will be made to believe that hospital gowns make sense.
Resistance is futile.
Apart from my giggles as I read this, you're right. AI can be helpful but you still need a decent amount of (human) common sense with it.
Glenn: the basic hospital gown is an offshoot of the original cloth surgeon's gowns, that were tied by a circulating nurse. The front was plain to keep the gown as clean as can be. Many times you can simply ask for a second gown to put on the "correct way" i.e., tie it in front. THEN you are covered completely! And I agree: I've NEVER been in a hot hospital, especially in an O.R. that is kept cold so the surgeon doesn't drip sweat into the field.
Yeah, George, I thought of that idea of having a front gown and then add a back gown. Where I come from, they call that a "shirt."
It's true AI learns only from the internet, but almost all human knowledge comes can be found there. The question is, how good is AI at discerning the garbage from the reliable info. The hospital gown question is a good test, IMO. But all AIs are not the same. I asked Chat GPT the same question and got a similar but I think, more nuanced answer.. Here it is.
>>Hospital gowns are designed to be open in the back for practical and medical reasons:
Ease of Access: The open-back design allows healthcare providers to quickly access areas of the body for medical procedures, examinations, or treatments without the need for patients to completely undress. This is especially important in emergency situations.
Patient Safety: Gowns with an open back minimize the risk of contamination. Healthcare workers can easily fold or move the gown during procedures, reducing the chance of transferring bacteria or other pathogens from the fabric.
Accommodating Equipment: The design accommodates medical equipment such as IV lines, monitors, and catheters, which might be impeded by a fully closed garment.
Ease of Dressing: Many hospital patients may have limited mobility due to injury, illness, or surgery. The open-back design makes it easier for patients to put on and take off the gown, often with assistance.
Standardization and Cost: Open-back gowns are simple to manufacture and launder, which helps hospitals maintain cost efficiency for single-use or reusable garments.
While practical, the design is not without its downsides, as many patients find them uncomfortable or embarrassing. Some hospitals are exploring alternative designs to balance functionality with dignity.<<
Then I asked the question of Perplexity. Its answer was less nuanced, more like what Glenn got from Gemini. But I followed up by challenging it. Here is how perplexity responded to my challenge
>>You raise a valid point about the comfort and dignity issues associated with traditional hospital gowns. While the design is intended to facilitate medical care, it often falls short in terms of patient comfort and dignity.
Patient Feedback and Dignity
Patient feedback is crucial, and it's clear that many patients find these gowns uncomfortable and undignified. The constant risk of the gown opening and exposing the patient's backside can be embarrassing and stressful, particularly in a setting where patients are already vulnerable.
Alternative Designs
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on designing hospital gowns that balance medical accessibility with patient comfort and dignity. Some hospitals and healthcare providers have started using alternative gown designs, such as:
Closed-back gowns: These gowns have a more traditional design with a closed back but still offer easy access through adjustable openings or zippers.
Modesty gowns: These gowns are designed with additional fabric or panels to provide better coverage and reduce the risk of exposure.
Patient-centered designs: Some new designs incorporate patient feedback, offering gowns with more secure fastenings, adjustable lengths, and better overall coverage.
Innovations in Healthcare Apparel
The healthcare industry is slowly adopting more patient-centered approaches to hospital attire. Innovations include using breathable fabrics, adjustable designs, and gowns that prioritize both medical access and patient dignity.
Advocacy for Change
Patient advocacy and feedback are essential in driving these changes. Healthcare providers and manufacturers are increasingly listening to patient concerns and working to develop more comfortable and dignified hospital gowns.
In summary, while traditional hospital gowns may serve a practical purpose, they often fail to meet the comfort and dignity standards that patients deserve. The push for better-designed hospital gowns is ongoing, and patient feedback is a critical component in this process. <<.
Not too shabby. We can agree, disagree, wonder, explore, etc. Yes, AI can say some stupid stuff, but so do people. And unlike many people, AI seems willing to consider criticism and change it's mind when challenged. Since it learns from experience, I hope we humans challenge it often. Who knows, a few more challenges on the hospital gown issue and maybe Perplexity's and Gemini's initial answers will soon be more like Chat GPT's.
Historically, nurses were all female and I think that they put the opening in the back because if they had to see through the gown’s slit, they preferred to see the behind side of a man rather than the front side.
I hate AI. Especially the AI images. It's a tool for lazy people, easily wrong and since it's a program, too prone to mistakes or intentional malice.
Her name is Bari Weiss. Quite the entrepreneur.
I encourage you to come up with a better hospital gown. Right now I think AI is right, but I am sure hospitals would be open to suggestions regarding the design. The sickest people are not really worried at all about their "buns" being exposed.