Embra
The Gynecological Examination Robe
Thesis Project
Parsons, 2020-2021, 10 months
Individual
Concept
Embra is a gynecological examination robe that utilizes the familiar form of a house robe with additional components and mechanisms, allowing physicians to easily perform routine examinations without requiring excessive exposure. With a familiar form, Embra will help patients feel more at ease in an unfamiliar environment.
Packaging
Problem
Although aware of the importance of gynecological examinations for their health, women are not going to the gynecologist as often as suggested or even at all due to the anxiety and discomfort of the examinations.1
The examination gown was determined the largest paint point of the gynecological examination experience for patients and physicians, mainly due to the unnecessary exposure of the body in order to access the abdominal and breast areas.2,3,4
By redesigning the examination gown, the gynecologist can become a welcoming place that women can visit regularly because they feel comfortable and in control.
Brief
Design a gynecological robe that allows physicians to perform necessary routine procedures while reducing exposure and increasing comfort for the patient.
Existing gynecological examination gown
Ideation and Research
The initial ideation process involved viewing the current gynecological robe designs and determining design requirements and constraints.
To begin my primary research, I posted on a forum for women's health asking "What is the worst part about visiting the gynecologist besides the speculum?" I received over 100 replies, with this being the most liked comment:
In order to determine requirements and constraints, I interviewed Dr. David M. Jaspan, DO, FACOOG, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Einstein Healthcare Network3:
- The gown is not one size fits all, leading to patient discomfort
- Prefers to expose isolated parts of the body
- The gown is "one more thing patients don't have control over"
Finalized Requirements:
- Allow access to pelvic area, abdominal area, breast area (full breast and axilla)
- Allow physician to view one breast at a time while keep the rest of the body covered
- Provide patient with full mobility of arms and legs
- Fit most to all body types and sizes
- Reusable
- Have enough of an affordance to put on with little to no instruction
I was then able to begin exploring different types of openings and closures.
Form Exploration 1
I continued ideation through form exploration. By altering a hospital gown, I was able to create a first round of mockups based on a few of the initial gown sketches.
Chosen first mockup
User Test 1
I recreated the chosen mockup using a house robe and had test participants try it on to evaluate how the gown fit the body and if the design functioned properly.
Six test participants tried on the mockup for evaluation of form and functionality. Participant ages range 25-61, height 4'10"-5'6"
Chosen design had likelihood of gapping by breasts and difficulty with closure system, needed redesign
Form Exploration 2
For the next round of form exploration, I created mockups of a new breast panel design and the skirt extension. I wanted to completely remove the need for closure hardware to provide one less step for the physicians while examining the breasts.
Updated mockup of breast panels inspired by raincoat flaps
Mockup of extended skirt panels for added coverage
User Test 2 - Focus Group
A focus group was conducted in order to choose a fabric type and color, gain insight on additional pain points at the gynecologist, and determine feelings surrounding updated mockup.
A selection of fabric swatches provided to the focus group participants
Focus Group Results
Fabric Selection:
Fabric that feels spa and robe like, not too heavy or warm, white color to ensure clean garment4
Pain Point: Clothing Placement
Due to fear of judgement, 5 out of 6 participants feel the need to hide their undergarments while at the gynecologist, all feel the need to fold their clothes4
Updated Mockup Opinions (Raincoat):
Worried about the security of open breast panels, might be too open4
Solutions
Fabric Selection: White Waffle Knit
White Waffle Knit - feels spa and robe like, lighter weight fabric with texture, white color feels serene and implies bleach cleaning, can withstand Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) medical laundering facility requirements for disinfection7
Pain Point: Clothing Placement
Sanitary packaging that doubles as storage bag for undergarments and clothing storage
Updated Mockup Solution:
Different breast panel design that provides more coverage while closed
Packaging Ideation
The ideation for the packaging started with exploring form through sketching and sketch modeling. I chose recycled paper as the material, as it is inexpensive to manufacture and disposable. Additionally, I wanted to include a physical signal that the garment has been cleaned—using tamper-evident packaging via a paper seal strip indicates that the garment has come directly from laundering.
Continuing with form exploration, I decided to move forward with a paper bag form as it is a familiar form and provides an affordance to place items in the bag if desired. Folding the bag and adding a seal strip allow for a closure without disrupting the form.
Form Exploration 3
For the third form exploration, I designed a new breast panel mechanism that would utilize part of the existing form of a robe. The mechanism involves 2 vertical tracks, with one of the tracks being the placket of the robe. This mechanism allows for closure without hardware and provides full view of the breast.
The breast panel fabric slides up and down on the vertical track without need for closure hardware
Final mockup: vertical 2 track system, inner track is the placket of the robe
User Test 3
I performed a final mockup user test in order to confirm comfort and coverage of the updated breast panel design. Both participants felt comfortable in the garment, noting that it felt no different than wearing a house robe.
Erin (Left), 26, 5'8", "It just feels like I'm wearing a robe." Jackie (Right), 25, 5'6", Did not feel exposed, felt robe like, easy to put on
Prototype Fabrication
To fabricate the prototype, I made my own pattern for the robe by disassembling the mockup. I then cut and sewed the garment using the selected white waffle knit fabric.
Final Prototype
Packaging
Next Steps
1. Test in an actual gynecological setting to get real-time feedback from physicians and refine form
2. Test of a wider range of body types to determine sizing
3. Continue research to update form for those with uteruses who do not identify as women
4. Perform cost analyses and explore manufacturing processes for use in various gynecological settings
Sources
1. Szymoniak, Katarzyna, Dorota Cwiek, Elwira Berezowska, Dorota Branecka-Woźniak, Iwona Dzióbek, and Witold Malinowski. “Women’s opinions regarding gynaecological examination in a hospital.” Ginekologia Polska 80, no. 7 (July 2009): 498–502.
2. Greenhall, Zoe. 2021. “What Is the Worst Part about Visiting the Gynecologist, besides the Speculum?” WomensHealth. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/WomensHealth/comments/ll6lbn/what_is_the_worst_part_about_visiting_the/.
3. Dr. David M. Jaspan, DO, FACOOG. 2021. Dr. Jaspan Interview.
4. Balas, Erin, Giulia Bassan, Christine Desplat, Cara Greenhall, Anju Malhotra, and Jacqueline Park. 2021. Focus Group.
5. Krauss, Kirsten E. “The Effects of Deep Pressure Touch on Anxiety.” The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 41, no. 6 (June 1, 1987): 366–73. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.41.6.366.
6. Pang, Hio Tong, Feride Canarslan, and Mingyuan Chu. “Individual Differences in Conversational Self-Touch Frequency Correlate with State Anxiety.” Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 46, no. 3 (September 1, 2022): 299–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-022-00402-9.
7. “Background G. Laundry and Bedding: Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities.” 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 2, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/background/laundry.html.