There exists wide variation in practice regarding the use of chaperones for
physical examination of the patient in primary care. Guidelines agree that
a chaperone should be offered or used whenever a patient is undergoing an
intimate examination. This paper aims to gauge patient views on the use of
chaperones in primary care.
Focus groups were used to identify themes surrounding the use of chaperones
in primary care. Questionnaires were then mailed to 404 women and 400 men
aged 16 years to 65 years identified from the lists of three research pract
ices in the Northern and Yorkshire Region. The most important factor for th
e patient in an intimate examination is the attitude of the doctor; the pat
ient views the offer of a chaperone as a sign of respect by the doctor. The
development of shared decision-making within a consultation involving an i
ntimate examination should be seen as more important than a rigid approach
towards using a chaperone.