The impact of patient clothing on wellbeing and health among adults with a congenital health condition

We are conducting a study to better understand the impact of hospital clothing on identity, wellbeing, and recovery, focusing on people with a congenital heart condition. We plan to use the findings from the study to enhance the patient experience and to inform the development of hospital clothing to positively impact on wellness and mobility. This study is run in collaboration between researchers at Strathclyde University, The University of Suffolk’s Congenital Cardiac Research Centre, The Somerville Foundation and Inga Wellbeing. The study involves taking part in a focus groups in which participants will be asked to discuss their experience of hospital clothing, its impact on the patient journey as well as its impact on their emotions and identity. In the second part of the focus group participants will be provided with an item of patient wear clothing from INGA Wellbeing and asked to discuss how the garment: the way it feels, the finish, the cut, the look and the way it makes them feel.