Short Answer
Medical examination rooms in Germany rarely use curtains or dividers between the door and the changing area.
The clinical culture views the body as a neutral subject and assumes a level of comfort with nudity that may differ from your home country.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You were told to undress for a scan and assumed there would be a screen or a separate cubicle to hide behind. The doctor stood right there while you struggled with your clothes, and you felt so exposed that you rushed the process and forgot to mention a secondary symptom. You lost the opportunity for a thorough diagnosis and had to book a second €120 appointment because you were too flustered to speak up.
What To Do
- Ask the doctor to step out for a moment while you prepare for the examination.
- Bring a large scarf or a lightweight robe in your bag to cover yourself if the lack of a gown bothers you.
- "Kann ich einen Moment Privatsphäre haben?" (Can I have a moment of privacy?) Say this before you start unbuttoning your clothes.
The Truth
Germany’s medical norm treats undressing as a purely functional step in a procedure. Staff do not intend to be disrespectful, but they will not offer privacy unless you explicitly request it.