Naked Patients in the General Hospital: Differential Diagnosis and Management Strategies

Physicians and patients are frequently concerned, and, at times, distressed, by nakedness during clinical encounters. When nakedness appears, clinicians should attempt to establish the reason for it and determine whether it is appropriate for the situation. Establishing the etiology of nudity can facilitate care by hospital staff and help to modulate their countertransference reactions and behavior. The authors present and discuss three cases involving nudity at times other than during the physical examination, within the context of differential diagnosis and treatment alternatives.