Patients have a right to refuse a chaperone. If you are unwilling to conduct an intimate examination without a chaperone, you should explain to the patient why you would prefer to have one present.
When must a patient require a chaperone?
A chaperone may be required in the following situations: 1) Intimate examinations. These are examinations of rectal, genital or breast area. 2) For patients with certain cultural or religious beliefs any examination requiring removing of clothing.
What is a chaperone policy and why is it required?
Purpose of Chaperone Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present during such consultations to: provide support, both emotional and sometimes physical to the patient. to protect the doctor against allegations of improper behaviour during such consultations, and sometimes to provide practical support.
Do female doctors need chaperones?
Most teenagers want a chaperone during intimate examinations, and a family member may be the preferred choice. Many women prefer having a third party present when the examining doctor is male, fewer if the examining doctor is female. Every woman having a genital or rectal examination should be offered a chaperone.
Why is a chaperone important?
A medical chaperone is an impartial observer present during a consultation between a doctor or allied health professional and a patient. A medical chaperone acts as an advocate for the patient and can help patients understand exactly what is happening, and why.
How do you explain a chaperone to a patient?
A chaperone is an adult who is present during an intimate examination of a patient. A chaperone is there to protect both the patient and the doctor or midwife from allegations of inappropriate behaviour. They may also be asked to assist the doctor or midwife during the examination.
Why do doctors use chaperones?
A chaperone also provides a safeguard for both patient and doctor, and can discourage unfounded allegations of improper behaviour. In rare circumstances, the chaperone may also protect the doctor from physical attack. Most commonly this happens when the patient is in custody.
A formal chaperone implies a suitably trained individual, such as a nurse or a specifically trained staff member e.g. Health Care Assistant. This individual will have a specific role to play in terms of the consultation and this role must be made clear to both the patient and the person undertaking the chaperone role.
Can my husband be my chaperone?
Can my partner, relative or friend act as chaperone? You can choose to have your partner, relative or friend with you during your examinations. It can be helpful to think about whether you and they will feel comfortable about this.
Can family members be chaperones?
1. Can a family member act as a chaperone? No. Whilst a family member may be present in the room for the examination if the patient wishes, the family member cannot fulfil the role of chaperone, even if acting as an interpreter for the patient.
In clinical medicine, a formal chaperone is a person who serves as a witness for both a patient and a medical practitioner as a safeguard for both parties during a medical examination or procedure and is a witness to continuing consent of the procedure.
Can a receptionist be a chaperone?
A variety of people can act as a chaperone in the practice. Nurses are obviously ideal but it is unlikely that they will be available, and Health Care Assistants, Phlebotomists and experienced Receptionists / Dispensers can all act as chaperones, provided they have had the required training, and a DBS check.
Can I insist on seeing a female doctor?
Yes! Obviously, different practices work at different capacities and have varying levels of male/female GPs, but you can nevertheless ask for a female doctor when booking an appointment. Also, if you are looking at changing GPs or practices, its also a good idea to ask before making any solid commitments.