This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Hi. I'm Art Caplan. I'm at the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU's Grossman School of Medicine.
An interesting situation has arisen that many doctors who do physical examinations and primary care are facing, which is whether a chaperone has to be present for any examination of what are often referred to as sensitive areas, such as breasts, genitalia, and the perianal area.
In some institutions, there has been a movement toward saying a chaperone must be present, that it's mandatory. I know that is true at Yale's healthcare centers and clinics. Others do so when the patient requests it. An interesting situation sometimes occurs when the hospital or the clinic requires a chaperone but the patient says, "I don't want a chaperone. I want my privacy. I want the gynecologist or the urologist only. I don't want anyone else to be seeing me. I'm not comfortable with anyone other than the doctor in the room."
Complicating this issue of when is a chaperone appropriate and when can it be refused, if ever, is the fact that the role of chaperone is ill defined. For example, there isn't really agreement on who can be a chaperone.
COMMENTARY
Should You Have a Chaperone in the Exam Room? Many Say Yes
Arthur Caplan, PhD
DisclosuresJune 21, 2023
This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Hi. I'm Art Caplan. I'm at the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU's Grossman School of Medicine.
An interesting situation has arisen that many doctors who do physical examinations and primary care are facing, which is whether a chaperone has to be present for any examination of what are often referred to as sensitive areas, such as breasts, genitalia, and the perianal area.
In some institutions, there has been a movement toward saying a chaperone must be present, that it's mandatory. I know that is true at Yale's healthcare centers and clinics. Others do so when the patient requests it. An interesting situation sometimes occurs when the hospital or the clinic requires a chaperone but the patient says, "I don't want a chaperone. I want my privacy. I want the gynecologist or the urologist only. I don't want anyone else to be seeing me. I'm not comfortable with anyone other than the doctor in the room."
Complicating this issue of when is a chaperone appropriate and when can it be refused, if ever, is the fact that the role of chaperone is ill defined. For example, there isn't really agreement on who can be a chaperone.
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Cite this: Arthur Caplan. Should You Have a Chaperone in the Exam Room? Many Say Yes - Medscape - Jun 21, 2023.
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Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author(s)
Arthur Caplan, PhD
Sidney D. Caplan Professor of Bioethics, Department of Medical Ethics; Director, Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Disclosure: Arthur Caplan, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Served as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: The Franklin Institute; Tengion
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Biogen Idec Inc.; Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.; PriCara