Australian sexual health practitioners’ use of chaperones for genital examinations: a survey of attitudes and practice
Danielle C. Newton A , Christopher K. Fairley A B , Richard Teague B , Basil Donovan C , Francis J. Bowden D , Jade Bilardi A , Marian Pitts E and Marcus Y. Chen A B FA School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
B Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
C National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales and Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
D Australian National University and Canberra Sexual Health Centre, The Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
E Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin St, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: mchen@mshc.org.au
Sexual Health 4(2) 95-97 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH07025
Submitted: 26 April 2007 Accepted: 2 May 2007 Published: 23 May 2007
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the current practice and attitudes of Australian sexual health practitioners towards the use of chaperones for genital examinations. Methods: In July 2006, an anonymous, self-completed questionnaire was mailed to members of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine. Results: Of the 166 questionnaires sent to practitioners, 110 (66%) were returned completed. Of the 110 respondents, only 9% and 19% reported that their clinic routinely provided chaperones for all male and female genital examinations, respectively. Among practitioners whose services did not offer chaperones routinely, chaperones were offered with a mean frequency of 19% for female examinations and 8% for male examinations (P = 0.01). Compared to female practitioners, significantly more male practitioners thought a chaperone was important for medico-legal purposes when examining females (72% v. 53%, P < 0.05). Compared to male practitioners, significantly more female practitioners thought a chaperone was sometimes important for patient support when examining male patients (52% v. 26%, P < 0.001). Only 39% (n = 18) of male practitioners and 36% (n = 23) of female practitioners felt that resources spent on chaperones were justified by the benefits they provided. Conclusions: Despite only a minority of practitioners offering chaperones to patients or using them during examinations, many feel they are important for medico-legal reasons and as support for the patient. Best practice may be for services to routinely offer a chaperone and record instances where an offer is declined. This provides patients with choice and practitioners with some level of protection.
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank all fellows, trainees and affiliates of the AChSHM who took the time to complete and return the survey. We also thank the secretariat of the AChSHM for their assistance in conducting the mail out. MC is supported by NHMRC Fellowship number 400399.
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