Attitudes of patients towards the use of chaperones in primary care

Citation
Dl. Whitford et al., Attitudes of patients towards the use of chaperones in primary care, BR J GEN PR, 51(466), 2001, pp. 381-383
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine
Journal title
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
ISSN journal
09601643 → ACNP
Volume
51
Issue
466
Year of publication
2001
Pages
381 - 383
Database
ISI
SICI code
0960-1643(200105)51:466<381:AOPTTU>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
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.