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

Sinclair, Andrew; Gunendran, Thiru; Pearce, Ian

doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.047134

Cited by 8 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Only one in seven patients wished the presence of a chaperone during examination. This is in keeping with previous studies showing that only a minority of men prefer to have a chaperone [4,8]. This may reflect that patients presenting with a genital complaint do usually expect a physical genital examination.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Do We Need Chaperones for Intimate Examination in Urology Clinics? Patients' Preferences and Urologists' Practice in Scotland

Ong

Garnett

MacFARLANE

et al. 2010

British Journal of Medical and Surgical Urology

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Introduction: General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines and the Ayling report recommend that a chaperone should be offered to all patients for every intimate examination. We wanted to establish whether these guidelines reflect men's preferences and urologists' current practice in intimate examination. Methods: All male patients attending urology outpatient clinics over a 3 month period at two hospitals were asked to fill in a preference questionnaire. A separate questionnaire was sent to all urologists in Scotland to establish the current practice.Results: 315 patients returned evaluable questionnaires. While 227 patients (73%) felt that a chaperone should be offered, only 45 patients (14.3%) wanted a chaperone. Of these, only 15 patients (4.8%) would not have been comfortable to ask for a chaperone. 64 (75.3%) Scottish urologists responded and only 3 (4.7%) urologists offered a chaperone to all male patients. 47 (73.4%) urologists did not routinely counsel patients about intimate examination under anaesthesia as part of transurethral surgery. Conclusion: Most men do not wish a chaperone to be present. Recommended best practice will protect the small minority of patients who want to have a chaperone. This involves the offer of a chaperone to all patients and accurate record keeping in the patient's case note.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…No special guidance however has been issued for urologists, although examination of the genitalia or rectum is a routine part of the physical examination for most urology patients. We found only one study on men's preferences for chaperones in urology clinics [4] and none about urologists' compliance in following the GMC guidelines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Do We Need Chaperones for Intimate Examination in Urology Clinics? Patients' Preferences and Urologists' Practice in Scotland

Ong

Garnett

MacFARLANE

et al. 2010

British Journal of Medical and Surgical Urology

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“…[10][11][12][13] One study conducted in a UK urology outpatients setting found that many patients prefer the chaperone to be a friend or family member, although the GMC does current consultant workforce deem them to be acceptable as chaperones. 13,14 There is a paucity of literature related to the use of chaperones amongst urological surgeons. Clearly this is a pertinent topic in a speciality such as urology, where it is important to establish best-practice guidelines.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chaperone use amongst UK urological surgeons – an evaluation of current practice and opinion

Modgil

Barratt

Summerton

et al. 2016

annals

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INTRODUCTION Intimate examinations are routinely performed by urologists as part of clinical practice. To protect patients and doctors, the General Medical Council offers guidance on the use of chaperones for intimate examinations. We assessed the opinions and use of chaperones amongst members of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS). METHODS An online questionnaire comprising 12 questions on the use of chaperones in clinical practice was sent to all full, trainee and speciality doctor members of BAUS. RESULTS The questionnaire had a response rate of 26% (n=331). The majority of respondents were consultant urologists, comprising 78.8% (n=261), with a wide range of years of experience. Of the respondents, 38.9% were not aware of the GMC guidance on chaperones. While 72.5% always used a chaperone., 22.9% never use a chaperone when the patient was of the same sex. Chaperones were most commonly used for intimate examinations (64.6%), and for examinations involving members of the opposite sex (77.3%). A majority of respondents felt that chaperones protect both the patient (77.3%), and the doctor (96.6%). However, 42.5% did not feel that using a chaperone assists the doctor's examination, and some (17.2%) participants felt that chaperones were unnecessary. CONCLUSIONS This study shows considerable variability amongst urologists in their use of chaperones. A significant proportion of respondents were not aware of the GMC guidelines and did not regularly use a chaperone during an intimate examination. In addition, practice appears to be gender biased. Further study and education is suggested.

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“…A search of the published literature worldwide found limited research about the use of chaperones overseas whether in primary care [ 5 , 12 , 14 , 15 ] or hospital clinics [ 6 , 16 – 19 ] about patients' awareness [ 13 , 17 , 20 ], protection for patients and/or doctors [ 3 , 11 , 21 ], or guidelines [ 22 – 24 ]. Similarly, little literature was found about the use of chaperones in Australia; results of two studies conducted in sexual health clinics [ 4 , 25 , 26 ], commentaries about doctors' misconduct [ 1 ], and risk management [ 27 ], as well as three documents providing medicolegal guidance [ 7 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Attitudes and Practices of General Practitioners about the Use of Chaperones in Melbourne, Australia

Hecke

Jones

2012

International Journal of Family Medicine

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Introduction. To consider the use of medical chaperones during certain clinical examinations is important whether one practises as a specialist, nurse, medical student, or generalist. Chaperones have been used by doctors conducting intimate examinations for many years but their true extent remains largely unknown. Until recently, there was no national guidance in Australia. Aim. To explore the attitudes and practices of general practitioners (GP) regarding their use of chaperones in urban Melbourne, Australia. Method. Qualitative two focus groups involving seventeen GPs from two locations. Discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed. Results. Common themes and subthemes emerged which were grouped into three main areas: (a) practitioner-related, (b) patient-related and (c) practice related. Discussion. This is the first study from an Australian primary care perspective to gauge the attitudes and experiences of GPs on their use of chaperones. It will provide vital information to inform the next step of extending this research to a national GP audience. From an international perspective, this study provides an excellent template for other primary care clinicians to conduct research in this important field of doctor-patient relationship.

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

Cited by 8 publications

References 2 publications

Do We Need Chaperones for Intimate Examination in Urology Clinics? Patients' Preferences and Urologists' Practice in Scotland

Do We Need Chaperones for Intimate Examination in Urology Clinics? Patients' Preferences and Urologists' Practice in Scotland

Chaperone use amongst UK urological surgeons – an evaluation of current practice and opinion

The Attitudes and Practices of General Practitioners about the Use of Chaperones in Melbourne, Australia

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