What is a chaperone for general practitioners?

A chaperone in medical practice is defined as an independent, properly trained individual who is responsible for observing examinations and procedures performed by the physician or medical professional. His main job is to help strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and improve the standards of conventional medical practice.

Need for companions in the medical profession

Medical exams are becoming more and more challenging for doctors and patients. The main reasons for this are detailed doctor-patient discussions, accompanied by increased patient autonomy and their right to independently make decisions for medical and surgical treatment. This is notably affecting the traditional doctor-patient relationship that we know.

These reasons have made it increasingly difficult to maintain a transparent and open relationship between the doctor and his patients. The boundaries that govern an ideal and healthy doctor-patient relationship are blurring and making consultations more challenging for doctors.
A chaperone works great to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and make it more trustworthy. However, reports show a surprising lack of awareness among the medical community.

According to a survey published by BMJ (2015), it shows that:
• Around 37% of general practitioners admitted to having a companion policy.
• While 68% of male GPs offered a chaperone when performing an intimate physical exam, only 5% of female GPs admitted one.
• Only 54% of male general practitioners and about 2% of female general practitioners admitted to having a companion when they performed the exams.
• More than 70% of women and 8% of male general practitioners admitted that they never use a companion when performing an intimate examination of patients.

When general practitioners used a chaperone, the sources were varied, such as:
• 22% of general practitioners interviewed used general practice or student registrars as chaperones.
• 47% used a relative or companion of the patient as a companion.
• 43% of general practitioners used non-clinical practice staff as chaperones.
• 78% of general practitioners typically used qualified nurses as chaperones.

The main reasons given by general practitioners for not using a qualified and licensed professional medical chaperone to be an escort in general practice are:
• Availability
• Confidentiality
• time restrictions
• Doctor-pacient relationship

Importance of accompaniment in general medical practice

The use of a companion during an intimate exam, especially of female patients, is an essential step in building a stronger, healthier and more transparent relationship between the general practitioner (physician/medical professional) and their patients.

These are the main reasons that detail the importance of having a companion present during an intimate medical examination of a patient:
• Protection: The presence of a chaperone during an intimate medical exam adds a layer of protection for the doctor against false accusations of sexual misconduct/harassment.
• Building Trust – Chaperones are a way to acknowledge the vulnerability a patient may feel for their dignity during an intimate physical exam.
• Assistance: chaperones are also trained to efficiently assist the general practitioner in performing the exams.
• Safety – Chaperones are intended to provide safety and emotional comfort to the patient.

The prospect of an intimate exam can result in anxiety and embarrassment for the patient. These types of exams require immense care and sensitivity towards the patient’s feelings and emotional state.

Intimate exams consist mostly of exams or tests that are done on the breasts, genitals, or rectum. Aside from this, it also includes any examination procedures that require the doctor to be close to the patient, such as:
• Low light vision exam
• Put on the cuff to measure blood pressure
• Palpate the beat of the apex, etc.

It becomes important to inform the patient beforehand in clear terms about what the specific intimate exam will entail.

It is important that general practitioners and other medical professionals who require intimate physical examinations of patients clearly state their escort policy. It should be sufficiently advertised through patient information brochures, websites and bulletin boards within the clinic or hospital. Ideally, it should be routine practice for clinicians to offer the services of a medical escort to each patient before the examination begins. Ensure better levels of medical practice by having an effective escort policy for your medical and health center.