![]() Signs are present in clinical rooms informing who can act as a chaperone. If a suitably trained person is not available then the examination should be deferred. All must ensure they have undertaken chaperone training and it is up to date. Only clinical members of the team should act as a chaperone with procedural aspects of personal examination and also those non-clinical staff who are in agreement and have completed the relevant and appropriate chaperone training. The following procedure should still be followed. There may be rare occasions when a chaperone is needed for a home visit. Consideration should also be given to the possibility of a malicious accusation by a patient If necessary, where a chaperone is not available, the consultation/examination should be rearranged for a mutually convenient time when a chaperone can be present.Ĭomplaints and claims have not been limited to male doctors with female patients – there are many examples of alleged homosexual assault by female and male doctors. Patients who request a chaperone should never be examined without a chaperone being present. However, there will still be times when either the clinician, or the patient, feels uncomfortable, and it would be appropriate to consider using a chaperone. This should remove the potential for misunderstanding. Ensure that a suitable sign is clearly on display in each consulting or treatment room offering the chaperone service if required.Always ensure that the patient is provided with adequate privacy to undress and dress. ![]() ![]() Always adopt a professional and considerate manner – be careful with humour as a way of relaxing a nervous situation as it can easily be misinterpreted.The clinician should give the patient a clear explanation of what the examination will involve.This discussion should be documented in the medical record.This policy is designed to protect both patients and staff from abuse or allegations of abuse and to assist patients to make an informed choice about their examinations and consultations.Ĭlinicians (male and female) should consider whether an intimate or personal examination of the patient (either male or female) is justified, or whether the nature of the consultation poses a risk of misunderstanding. If care is not provided, the physician must discuss with the patient the risks of not receiving further care and offer alternatives, including being examined by another provider or seeking care elsewhere. 9 If a patient request for a chaperone is not able to be accommodated, the patient may refuse to receive further treatment. For the rare situation in which the patient refuses an appropriate chaperone and the physician is concerned that providing the examination might result in false allegations or medicolegal risk, the physician is not obligated to provide further treatment. 8 The pediatrician needs to communicate with the patient and parent why a chaperone is required in this situation. If the explanation of the scope and confidentiality of the examination does not resolve the tension or conflict, the use of a chaperone during the examination is appropriate. In certain situations, a physician may request the presence of a chaperone, particularly when a patient or parent is exhibiting mental health issues has developmental issues or displays anxiety, tension, or reluctance toward examination. 3 The name of the chaperone should be documented in the medical record. Family members or friends should not be used as chaperones unless specifically requested by the patient and, if at all possible, only in the presence of an additional chaperone who is not a family member or friend. 2 If the patient chooses to have a chaperone, the chaperone should preferably be a nurse or medical assistant. The patient's wishes and comfort should determine the sex of the chaperone. However, even same-sex examinations can be misunderstood and can benefit from chaperoning. 1 In general, it is wise for male clinicians to have a chaperone during female breast, anorectal, and genital examinations. The presence of a chaperone may be useful to reinforce the professional nature of the interaction and content of the examination and to provide a witness in case of misunderstanding. If the patient is an adolescent or young adult and the examination requires inspection or palpation of anorectal or genital areas and/or the female breast, a chaperone is recommended.
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