In this guidance, we highlight some of the issues involved in carrying out intimate examinations. Our impact on protecting patients and supporting doctors. 15. Ultimately the patient’s clinical needs must take precedence. Clinicians will explain to patients the rationale for the exam, what to expect during the exam, and the role of the medical chaperone. Provide opportunity for private conversation with the patient without the chaperone present. <> stream be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality, reassure the patient if they show signs of distress or discomfort, be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination, stay for the whole examination and be able to see what the doctor is doing, if practical. You may wish to consider referring the patient to a colleague who would be willing to examine them without a chaperone, as long as a delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health. 9 0 obj %PDF-1.6 Intimate examination is an invasion of privacy and the issue is one of perception rather than reality, however for some patients the gender of the examiner and the chaperone may be Policy on the use of Chaperones during intimate care and examinations of Patients Guidance on balancing your beliefs with those of your patients, Related guidance and resources to help with ethical issues, We're introducing the MLA from 2024, find out what it means for you, Supporting learners with disabilities and long term health conditions, Details on our processes and where you can go for support, Help to raise your concern in the right way, The state of medical education and practice in the UK 2020, Data on the register, revalidation, education and fitness to practise. Introduction to our chaperone policy. ...where necessary, examine the patient. give the patient privacy to undress and dress, and keep them covered as much as possible to maintain their dignity; do not help the patient to remove clothing unless they have asked you to, or you have checked with them that they want you to help. It provides a set of principles and guidelines that can be applied to examinations that may be considered intimate by the patient. Intimate Examinations and Chaperone Policy. General Medical Council (2012) London, GMC. The offer of a chaperone was significantly greater for younger patients and those from Asian or black ethnic groups. In this guidance, we explain how doctors can put these principles into practice. at 16 a young person can be presumed to have the capacity to consent. Acceptance was highest among Asian patients. You should record any discussion about chaperones and the outcome in the patient’s medical record. Only serious or persistent failure to follow our guidance that poses a risk to patient safety or public trust in doctors will put your registration at risk. Patients should be offered a chaperone of their explain what you are going to do before you do it and, if this differs from what you have told the patient before, explain why and seek the patient’s permission, stop the examination if the patient asks you to. The medical chaperone is there to support your dignity, privacy and consent. In situations where abuse is suspected great care and sensitivity must be used to allay fears of repeat abuse. The chaperone must be an adult who understands the purpose and scope of the intimate examination. Chaperone Policy. TAMESIDE HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHAPERONE POLICY Chaperone Policy versioin 3.0 14 August 2015 Page 7 of 20 - Formal Chaperone may be referred to as a staff member, a person who acts as a witness for a patient and a HCP (ie Doctor) during an intimate medical examination or procedure being undertaken and may also assist In general, use a chaperone even when a patient’s trusted companion is present. Category Clinical Practice (Policies) Code CP74 Issue No 2.1 Target Audience. chaperone policy for intimate examination 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Healthy Options for Women is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all time and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance. Provides emotional comfort and reassurance to the patient. This Policy is designed to protect both patients and staff from abuse or allegations of abuse, and to assist patients in making an informed choice about their examinations and consultations. You must provide a good standard of practice and care. Regardless of the gender of the professional performing the examination the chaperone should be a staff member, such as a maternity / nursing care assistant or medical student, or a CP74 Chaperone and Intimate examinations Policy. This guidance has been designed to supplement the updated General Medical Council (GMC) guidance on intimate examinations should be read in conjunction with the GMC’s Good medical practice guidance The document applies to clinical radiologists but would also be applicable to other healthcare practitioners, such as sonographers. %���� Our conclusion was that most patients do not want a chaperone in the GU medicine clinic. A patient’s view and a doctor’s view of what an intimate examination is can be very different. They may assist the health professional in the examination; for example, the chaperone may assist with undressing/dressing patients as required. These local policies often give advice on how to proceed if a patient refuses to have a chaperone present and the practitioner feels they may be at risk. We help to protect patients and improve medical education and practice in the UK by setting standards for students and doctors. The GMC is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089278) and Scotland (SC037750), Intimate examinations of anaesthetised patients, Employers, medical schools and royal colleges, Information for employers and other organisations, Raising concerns about medical education and training, Our Chief Executive and Senior Management team, Employers, medical schools and royal colleges landing page, Ethical guidance for doctors landing page, Raise a concern about a doctor landing page, What happens to your concern landing page, Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors, Consent: patients and doctors making decisions together, explain to the patient why an examination is necessary and give the patient an opportunity to ask questions, explain what the examination will involve, in a way the patient can understand, so that the patient has a clear idea of what to expect, including any pain or discomfort, get the patient’s permission before the examination and record that the patient has given it. The chaperone should usually be a trained health professional, although doctors should comply with 'a reasonable request' to have a … x��\Ms�H������Te�F�>�7XB,�L�Vǒ��b�d�﷧�G�H��Cb �]�eI3ּ~��G�my� ~�m��>���%��3�w�����Dz���#~���wmx�8\�w���#���Q=��%z�|8�. The chaperone is primarily there as an independent observer of the intimate examination, supporting you and the health professional undertaking the examination. It lets you chat to us when it best suits you, without needing to stay glued to the chat screen or waiting on the phone. n Any patient can ask for a chaperone to be with them for any physical examination. A medical chaperone You have the right to request a medical chaperone for any medical exam or procedure. The latest GMC guidance Intimate examinations and chaperones (2013) says that doctors should offer the patient the option of a chaperone wherever possible before conducting an intimate examination. The most convenient way to get support. You must follow this guidance and make detailed and accurate records at the time of the examination, or as soon as possible afterwards. Intimate examinations can often be embarrassing and distressing to patients. You must be prepared to explain and justify your decisions and actions. For intimate examinations the doctor or nurse will often insist that you have a chaperone present for the examination. Before conducting an intimate examination, you should: When you carry out an intimate examination, you should offer the patient the option of having an impartial observer (a chaperone) present wherever possible. B.A chaperone may be provided to help protect and enhance the patient's c… DEFINITIONS Chaperone – There is no common definition of what is a chaperone; the role varies according to the needs of the patient, the HCP, and the examination or procedure being carried out. A.The purpose of this policy is to provide a consistent, standard and safe care environment within Michigan Medicine. It is acceptable for a healthcare professional to perform an intimate examination without a chaperone if the situation is life threatening or speed is essential in the care or treatment of the patient. Patients can find examinations, investigations or photography involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum particularly intrusive (these examinations are collectively referred to as “intimate examinations”). The examination will normally be performed in a room that cannot be entered while the examination is in progress, except in an emergency. << /Type /Page /Parent 1 0 R /LastModified (D:20210115144145+00'00') /Resources 2 0 R /MediaBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /CropBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /BleedBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /TrimBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /ArtBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /Contents 10 0 R /Rotate 0 /Group << /Type /Group /S /Transparency /CS /DeviceRGB >> /Annots [ 7 0 R ] /PZ 1 >> There can be physical, psychological, and cultural reasons why chaperones may be requested or needed. All CWP staff Purpose. Chaperones also protect the physician by limiting the chances of a patient initiating inappropriate behavior. keep discussion relevant and don’t make unnecessary personal comments. 10 0 obj Once the examination has commenced, no-one should enter the room unless essential to the conduct of the examination or in an emergency. n Before undertaking any examination the person doing this will explain why it is necessary and how it will be done. 10 APPENDIX 3 Avoiding Misinterpretation and Allegations of Abuse During the examination, you must follow the guidance in Consent: patients and doctors making decisions together. Introduction. This included metropolitan, inner regional and outer regional geographic classification areas located in south-eastern New South Wales and the Australian C… Policies. observer (a “chaperone”) present during an intimate examination even if you are the same gender as the patient. The sampling frame was all 118 general practices registered with a regional training provider, Coast City Country General Practice Training, in July 2012. General Medical Council (2013) Good medical practice London, GMC. a young person under 16 may have the capacity to consent, depending on their maturity and ability to understand what is involved. You must also follow our guidance on Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors. We aimed to determine the frequency of chaperone use among family physicians across a variety of intimate physical examinations for both … > Chaperone Policy. Current GMC guidance, Intimate examinations and chaperones (2013) says that doctors should offer the patient the option of a chaperone wherever possible before conducting an intimate examination, whether or not they are the same gender as the patient. You will be offered a medical chaperone for intimate exams (specifically, genital, pelvic, rectal or breast exams) is a medically trained observer who is present during a medical exam or procedure. This Chaperone Policy adheres to local and national guidance and policy ... Checklist for consultations involving intimate examinations. The chaperone is to ensure that no visitors enter clinical areas where there may be intimate examinations or procedures taking place; this protects and promotes the privacy, dignity and respect of patients; The chaperone must ensure that no patient records or other patient-identifiable information is disclosed to … Every patient who needs an intimate exam defined as a genital, pelvic, rectal or breast examination, regardless of their or the clinician’s gender, will be offered a medical chaperone. If the patient does not want a chaperone, you should record that the offer was made and declined. This should also be recorded in the patient’s notes. Health professionals should only perform sensitive examinations, procedures or care in accordance with this policy. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that patients’ safety, privacy and dignity is protected during intimate examinations. We support them in achieving and exceeding those standards, and take action when they are not met. The chaperone should usually be a trained health professional; … Medical chaperones. 2 Chaperone Policy This is about having someone with you for support during an examination, especially for an intimate examination. endobj Chat to us, Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm. A chaperone should usually be a health professional and you must be satisfied that the chaperone will: be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality; reassure the patient if they show signs of distress or discomfort; be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination If a chaperone is present, you should record that fact and make a note of their identity. If either you or the patient does not want the examination to go ahead without a chaperone present, or if either of you is uncomfortable with the choice of chaperone, you may offer to delay the examination to a later date when a suitable chaperone will be available, as long as the delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health. All medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. 47. 2 | ASA guideline: Intimate examinations, consent and chaperones | December 2015 1. Intimate examinations may be embarrassing or distressing for patients and such examinations should be carried out sensitively. You must treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity and privacy. The royal colleges,1 the General Medical Council, and the defence organisations now emphasise the importance of ensuring that these examinations are not done by unaccompanied doctors. Participants were asked about their awareness of and frequency of requesting a chaperone while undergoing intimate examinations. This applies whether or not you are the same gender as the patient. 4. Also consultations involving dimmed lights, the need for patients to undress or for intensive periods of being touched may make a patient feel vulnerable. 1. AMA … 4.0 Who can act as a chaperone? Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for medical sonographers who carry out intimate examinations. 3.7 A practitioner has a right to request that a chaperone is present during an intimate examination and may in any event normally be required to have one present under local policies which should always be consulted in addition to this guidance. Chaperone Policy. Intimate examinations can be embarrassing or distressing for patients and whenever you examine a patient you should be sensitive to what they may think of as intimate. If you don’t want to go ahead without a chaperone present but the patient has said no to having one, you must explain clearly why you want a chaperone present. A chaperone should usually be a health professional and you must be satisfied that the chaperone will: A relative or friend of the patient is not an impartial observer and so would not usually be a suitable chaperone, but you should comply with a reasonable request to have such a person present as well as a chaperone. Physicians should minimize inquiries or history taking of a sensitive nature during a chaperoned examination. chaperoned examination. This policy promotes respect for the patient dignity and the professional nature of the examination. Published on Society of Radiographers (https://www.sor.org) 2.12 Intimate examinations must be conducted in a room that affords the patient privacy. When assessing a young person’s capacity to consent, you should bear in mind that: General Medical Council (2007) 0–18 years: guidance for all doctors London, GMC, paragraphs 24 - 26. be prepared to raise concerns if they are concerned about the doctor’s behaviour or actions. Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present during such … Most patients (88%, 530/602) did not want a chaperone for future examinations. We use cookies to give you the best online experience. The conduct of intimate examinations in medical settings has been a subject of controversy for many years, because of potential difficulties and pitfalls for both doctors and patients. There are a range of steps you can take to identify when a patient needs more information, or a different approach to the consultation is needed and a chaperone would be appropriate. General Medical Council (2007) 0–18 years: guidance for all doctors London, GMC, paragraphs 27 - 28. In fact, some prosecutors now argue that having a chaperone is the standard of care for intimate exams. Physicians have long been advised to have a third party present during certain parts of a physical examination; however, little is known about the frequency of chaperone use for those specific intimate examinations regularly performed in primary care. Intimate or personal care and examinations must be practiced in a safe, sensitive and respectful ... Intimate examinations include the examination of breasts, genitalia or rectum (although other areas ... (Chaperone Policy). By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies. This must not deter you from carrying out intimate examinations when necessary. In these cases it is advisable for a formal chaperone to be present for any intimate examinations. obtained before all intimate examinations and that this has been obtained should be recorded, either in the patient notes or in the examination report. In these situations healthcare professionals should refer to the local child protection policies and Two recent studies investigating the use of chaperones and chaperone policies in UK emergency departments suggest that the vast majority of departments do not have a formal chaperone policy.1 2 Furthermore, one of the studies suggests that doctors regularly conduct intimate examinations on patients without a chaperone being present.2 We report the results of an audit of junior doctors' use … Introduction. This guidance gives you advice about putting your patient at ease. What Should a Chaperone Policy for an Urgent Care Center Include? The general medical council (GMC) have published guidelines, ‘intimate examinations and chaperones 2013 , which recommend all patients irrespective of gender be offered a chaperone during an intimate examination.This should be documented within the medical notes at the time or immediately … If you assess, diagnose or treat patients, you must: a. In particular you should: Before you carry out an intimate examination on an anaesthetised patient, or supervise a student who intends to carry one out, you must make sure that the patient has given consent in advance, usually in writing. This is likely to include examinations of breasts, genitalia and rectum, but could also include any examination where it is necessary to touch or even be close to the patient.