BACKGROUND: The medical literature contains no consistent recommendations regarding chaperon practices during physical examination of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the chaperon practices of Ohio family physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all 1,786 active members of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. The questionnaire solicited information about the physicians' chaperon practices during physical examinations of the rectum, sexual and genital organs, and the female chest. RESULTS: The response rate was 74.6%. During female genital examinations, chaperons were used by 79.4% of male and 31.9% of female family physicians. Only 1.4% of male and 14.4% of female physicians used chaperons during male genital examinations. Chaperon practices were influenced by the gender of the physician and patient, the type of examination, and the availability of an assistant. CONCLUSIONS: No standard of care exists regarding chaperon practices among Ohio family physicians.
BACKGROUND: The medical literature contains no consistent recommendations regarding chaperon practices during physical examination of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the chaperon practices of Ohio family physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all 1,786 active members of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. The questionnaire solicited information about the physicians' chaperon practices during physical examinations of the rectum, sexual and genital organs, and the female chest. RESULTS: The response rate was 74.6%. During female genital examinations, chaperons were used by 79.4% of male and 31.9% of female family physicians. Only 1.4% of male and 14.4% of female physicians used chaperons during male genital examinations. Chaperon practices were influenced by the gender of the physician and patient, the type of examination, and the availability of an assistant. CONCLUSIONS: No standard of care exists regarding chaperon practices among Ohio family physicians.