Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2007 Jan;83(975):64-5.
doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2006.047134.

Use of chaperones in the urology outpatient setting: a patient's choice in a "patient-centred" service

Andrew M Sinclair  1 , Thiru Gunendran, Ian Pearce
Affiliations

Use of chaperones in the urology outpatient setting: a patient's choice in a "patient-centred" service

Andrew M Sinclair et al. Postgrad Med J. 2007 Jan.

Abstract

Background: The use of a chaperone in the clinical setting is a much debated subject. There have been many guidelines and papers written on this topic, but always from the medical profession's point of view. For the first time, this survey focuses on the opinion of the patient.

Methods: 800 consecutive patients attending the urology outpatient clinic were asked to complete a questionnaire on basic patient demographics and their opinions on chaperones.

Results: Of 709 patients who completed the questionnaires, 553 (78%) were male. Overall, 535 (75.5%) patients did not want a chaperone present. Only 66 (42%) females stated a preference for the presence of a chaperone. Of the 174 patients requesting a chaperone, 102 (59%) patients wished the role to be taken by a friend or family member. 90% of these patients attended with the appropriate person.

Conclusions: Most patients do not want a chaperone present for intimate examinations. Most women do not wish to have a chaperone present. Of those who do wish to have a chaperone present, more than half want a family member or friend to fill the role. This would be against current guidelines. However, in a "patient-centred" service, these results should be taken into consideration.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None.

References

    1. Ayling Report Committee of inquiry independent investigation into how the NHS handled allegation about the conduct of Clifford Ayling, 2004. http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/90/65/04089065.pdf (accessed 7 Sept 2006)
    1. Richardson C. Chaperones: who needs them? BMJ Careers 2005330175–176.
    1. Schutte P. A watchful eye. BMA News. Saturday 21 May 200514
    1. Rosenthal J, Rymer J, Jones R.et al Chaperones for intimate examinations: cross sectional survey of attitudes and practices of general practitioners. BMJ 2005330234–235. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Conway S, Harvey I. Use and offering of chaperones by general practitioners: postal questionnaire survey in Norfolk. BMJ 2005330235–236. - PMC - PubMed