If either you or the patient does not want the examination to go ahead without a chaperone present, or if either of you is uncomfortable with the choice of chaperone, you may offer to delay the examination to a later date when a suitable chaperone will be available, as long as the delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health. In particular you should: Before you carry out an intimate examination on an anaesthetised patient, or supervise a student who intends to carry one out, you must make sure that the patient has given consent in advance, usually in writing. This should also be recorded in the patient’s notes. 10 0 obj If the patient does not want a chaperone, you should record that the offer was made and declined. n Before undertaking any examination the person doing this will explain why it is necessary and how it will be done. Also consultations involving dimmed lights, the need for patients to undress or for intensive periods of being touched may make a patient feel vulnerable. You must provide a good standard of practice and care. This is likely to include examinations of breasts, genitalia and rectum, but could also include any examination where it is necessary to touch or even be close to the patient. In these situations healthcare professionals should refer to the local child protection policies and 3.7 A practitioner has a right to request that a chaperone is present during an intimate examination and may in any event normally be required to have one present under local policies which should always be consulted in addition to this guidance. In these cases it is advisable for a formal chaperone to be present for any intimate examinations. They may assist the health professional in the examination; for example, the chaperone may assist with undressing/dressing patients as required. Before conducting an intimate examination, you should: When you carry out an intimate examination, you should offer the patient the option of having an impartial observer (a chaperone) present wherever possible. This must not deter you from carrying out intimate examinations when necessary. If a chaperone is present, you should record that fact and make a note of their identity. Most patients (88%, 530/602) did not want a chaperone for future examinations. A patient’s view and a doctor’s view of what an intimate examination is can be very different. The chaperone should usually be a trained health professional, although doctors should comply with 'a reasonable request' to have a … 4. We help to protect patients and improve medical education and practice in the UK by setting standards for students and doctors. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that patients’ safety, privacy and dignity is protected during intimate examinations. Patients can find examinations, investigations or photography involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum particularly intrusive (these examinations are collectively referred to as “intimate examinations”). 10 APPENDIX 3 Avoiding Misinterpretation and Allegations of Abuse These local policies often give advice on how to proceed if a patient refuses to have a chaperone present and the practitioner feels they may be at risk. CP74 Chaperone and Intimate examinations Policy. Published on Society of Radiographers (https://www.sor.org) 2.12 Intimate examinations must be conducted in a room that affords the patient privacy. Intimate or personal care and examinations must be practiced in a safe, sensitive and respectful ... Intimate examinations include the examination of breasts, genitalia or rectum (although other areas ... (Chaperone Policy). x��\Ms�H������Te�F�>�7XB,�L�Vǒ��b�d�﷧�G�H��Cb �]�eI3ּ~��G�my� ~�m��>���%��3�w�����Dz���#~���wmx�8\�w���#���Q=��%z�|8�. Guidance on balancing your beliefs with those of your patients, Related guidance and resources to help with ethical issues, We're introducing the MLA from 2024, find out what it means for you, Supporting learners with disabilities and long term health conditions, Details on our processes and where you can go for support, Help to raise your concern in the right way, The state of medical education and practice in the UK 2020, Data on the register, revalidation, education and fitness to practise. B.A chaperone may be provided to help protect and enhance the patient's c… During the examination, you must follow the guidance in Consent: patients and doctors making decisions together. 47. The general medical council (GMC) have published guidelines, ‘intimate examinations and chaperones 2013 , which recommend all patients irrespective of gender be offered a chaperone during an intimate examination.This should be documented within the medical notes at the time or immediately … The royal colleges,1 the General Medical Council, and the defence organisations now emphasise the importance of ensuring that these examinations are not done by unaccompanied doctors. %���� Intimate examination is an invasion of privacy and the issue is one of perception rather than reality, however for some patients the gender of the examiner and the chaperone may be Policy on the use of Chaperones during intimate care and examinations of Patients obtained before all intimate examinations and that this has been obtained should be recorded, either in the patient notes or in the examination report. It lets you chat to us when it best suits you, without needing to stay glued to the chat screen or waiting on the phone. give the patient privacy to undress and dress, and keep them covered as much as possible to maintain their dignity; 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. Provide opportunity for private conversation with the patient without the chaperone present. In this guidance, we explain how doctors can put these principles into practice. Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for medical sonographers who carry out intimate examinations. Introduction. The conduct of intimate examinations in medical settings has been a subject of controversy for many years, because of potential difficulties and pitfalls for both doctors and patients. Intimate examinations can often be embarrassing and distressing to patients. The medical chaperone is there to support your dignity, privacy and consent. This policy promotes respect for the patient dignity and the professional nature of the examination. This Chaperone Policy adheres to local and national guidance and policy ... Checklist for consultations involving intimate examinations. This guidance has been designed to supplement the updated General Medical Council (GMC) guidance on intimate examinations should be read in conjunction with the GMC’s Good medical practice guidance The document applies to clinical radiologists but would also be applicable to other healthcare practitioners, such as sonographers. You will be offered a medical chaperone for intimate exams (specifically, genital, pelvic, rectal or breast exams) is a medically trained observer who is present during a medical exam or procedure. This included metropolitan, inner regional and outer regional geographic classification areas located in south-eastern New South Wales and the Australian C… The chaperone is primarily there as an independent observer of the intimate examination, supporting you and the health professional undertaking the examination. The latest GMC guidance Intimate examinations and chaperones (2013) says that doctors should offer the patient the option of a chaperone wherever possible before conducting an intimate examination. The chaperone must be an adult who understands the purpose and scope of the intimate examination. << /Type /Page /Parent 1 0 R /LastModified (D:20210115144145+00'00') /Resources 2 0 R /MediaBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /CropBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /BleedBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /TrimBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /ArtBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /Contents 10 0 R /Rotate 0 /Group << /Type /Group /S /Transparency /CS /DeviceRGB >> /Annots [ 7 0 R ] /PZ 1 >> You should record any discussion about chaperones and the outcome in the patient’s medical record. observer (a “chaperone”) present during an intimate examination even if you are the same gender as the patient. Chaperones also protect the physician by limiting the chances of a patient initiating inappropriate behavior. Physicians should minimize inquiries or history taking of a sensitive nature during a chaperoned examination. chaperone policy for intimate examination 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Healthy Options for Women is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all time and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance. General Medical Council (2012) London, GMC. Intimate examinations can be embarrassing or distressing for patients and whenever you examine a patient you should be sensitive to what they may think of as intimate. Ultimately the patient’s clinical needs must take precedence. Category Clinical Practice (Policies) Code CP74 Issue No 2.1 Target Audience. Medical chaperones. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies. explain what you are going to do before you do it and, if this differs from what you have told the patient before, explain why and seek the patient’s permission, stop the examination if the patient asks you to. Current GMC guidance, Intimate examinations and chaperones (2013) says that doctors should offer the patient the option of a chaperone wherever possible before conducting an intimate examination, whether or not they are the same gender as the patient. The offer of a chaperone was significantly greater for younger patients and those from Asian or black ethnic groups. Participants were asked about their awareness of and frequency of requesting a chaperone while undergoing intimate examinations. 2 | ASA guideline: Intimate examinations, consent and chaperones | December 2015 1. In fact, some prosecutors now argue that having a chaperone is the standard of care for intimate exams. Our conclusion was that most patients do not want a chaperone in the GU medicine clinic. There are a range of steps you can take to identify when a patient needs more information, or a different approach to the consultation is needed and a chaperone would be appropriate. All medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. The examination will normally be performed in a room that cannot be entered while the examination is in progress, except in an emergency. DEFINITIONS Chaperone – There is no common definition of what is a chaperone; the role varies according to the needs of the patient, the HCP, and the examination or procedure being carried out. You must treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity and privacy. This Policy is designed to protect both patients and staff from abuse or allegations of abuse, and to assist patients in making an informed choice about their examinations and consultations. A.The purpose of this policy is to provide a consistent, standard and safe care environment within Michigan Medicine. There can be physical, psychological, and cultural reasons why chaperones may be requested or needed. 15. General Medical Council (2007) 0–18 years: guidance for all doctors London, GMC, paragraphs 27 - 28. In situations where abuse is suspected great care and sensitivity must be used to allay fears of repeat abuse. The most convenient way to get support. TAMESIDE HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHAPERONE POLICY Chaperone Policy versioin 3.0 14 August 2015 Page 7 of 20 - Formal Chaperone may be referred to as a staff member, a person who acts as a witness for a patient and a HCP (ie Doctor) during an intimate medical examination or procedure being undertaken and may also assist Once the examination has commenced, no-one should enter the room unless essential to the conduct of the examination or in an emergency. 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