Chaperone use in medical practice

Abstract

It maybe speculated that having a chaperone present during the intimate clinical examination was originally instituted to protect woman from inappropriate advances by the doctor. In the current medico legal climate the rationale has probably been reversed, and the presence of a chaperone is felt to minimise the risk of the patient accusing the doctor of taking unnecessary liberties. Medical indemnity organizations consider presence of a chaperone helpful in the defense of a doctor against an allegation of sexual misconduct during an intimate examination. They do, however, realise that presence of a third party does not necessarily protect either the patient or the doctor and maybe counterproductive in some situations.