![]() ![]() ![]() You may wish to consider referring the patient to a colleague who would be willing to examine them without a chaperone, so long as the delay will not adversely affect the patient’s health.Īn intimate examination conducted in a patient’s home can be problematic if no chaperone is available. Should you desire the presence of a chaperone but the patient refuses, you must explain clearly why, but ultimately the patient’s clinical need takes precedence. If either you or the patient do not want the examination to go ahead without a chaperone present or have reservations over the choice of chaperone, you may offer to delay the examination to a later date so long as this would not adversely affect the patient’s health. Should the patient refuse the offer of chaperone you should record that the offer was made and declined. If a chaperone is present, you should record that fact and make a note of their identity. During the examination if the patient asks you to stop at any point, you must do so.Įnsure you record any discussion about chaperones and the outcome in the patient’s medical record. 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. A patient should be given privacy to undress and dress, and kept covered as much as possible to maintain their dignity. The chaperone should be present during the entirety of an examination. A chaperone should also be prepared to raise any concerns about a doctor’s behaviour or actions. They should be able to reassure a patient showing signs of distress or discomfort, and be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination. ![]() A chaperone should usually be a health professional and have been appropriately trained to be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality. The criteria for the use of a chaperone is dictated by whether the examination is considered intimate, or likely to be considered intimate, by the patient. ![]() Use of a chaperone (an impartial observer) should be offered to the patient when conducting an intimate examination (even if you are the same gender). Do not proceed with an examination if you think that the patient has not fully understood your explanation due to a language barrier or for any other reason. Ensure you record your discussion and consent. Include details of any part of the examination that you anticipate could cause the patient discomfort or pain, and give the patient the time and opportunity to ask questions before seeking their consent. However, it is important to be sensitive to what each individual patient may think of as intimate and could therefore also include any examination where it is necessary to touch or even be close up to the patient.īefore conducting the examination you should take time to explain why it is necessary, what it is likely to entail and how long it will last. Intimate examinations are likely to include those of the breasts, genitalia and rectum. The practice team should also be familiar with the guidance to understand the need to facilitate provision of a chaperone when appropriate. It is important for doctors to approach intimate examinations in the correct way, for both the dignity and care of the patient but also because a serious or persistent failure to follow GMC guidance will put your registration at risk. Whilst intimate examinations may be an everyday occurrence for doctors, they are rarely so for a patient and the experience can often be embarrassing and even distressing. The General Medical Council’s Intimate examinations and chaperones (2013) provides guidance on how to examine patients and respect their dignity and privacy. ![]()
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